After nearly two years of being on UFC’s bad side it appears No. 2-ranked lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan is officially out of Dana White’s doghouse.
If you’re wondering why Tsarukyan has been competing more in wrestling matches than UFC fights over the past 18 months there’s a reason why. Not only is Tsarukyan making good money to take his talents to Real American Freestyle (RAF), but he’s had a rough go at it with UFC ever since pulling out of his scheduled title fight with Islam Makhachev
at UFC 311 back in Jan. 2025. Tsarukyan claims a back injury was to blame, but there’s been speculation that a bad weight cut forced him out of that matchup. Either way, UFC officials weren’t happy.
It seems like Tsarukyan and UFC haven’t been able to see eye-to-eye following that injury fallout. Tsarukyan hasn’t done himself any favors by turning down fight offers along the way, but he was able to return to the Octagon against Dan Hooker back in Nov. 2025 to capture a dominant submission win. That is the only time Tsarukyan has fought for UFC over the past 28 months.
Luckily for Tsarukyan, that all changes next month when he meets fellow lightweight contender Mauricio Ruffy in the co-main event at UFC 331 in Los Angeles, California. Ruffy is coming off a huge knockout win on the White House card so if Tsarukyan is able to get past him it could lead to a title shot sometime in 2027.
During Friday’s UFC 331 pre-fight press conference White was asked about Tsarukyan’s current relationship with the company. While the UFC CEO didn’t enjoy answering the question he did confirm Tsarukyan is officially “out of the doghouse.”
Check it out below:
If Tsarukyan is able to stay in UFC’s good graces it could lead to some high-profile matchups in the near future. While Tsarukyan may not get his wish (shown below) to fight top contenders Ilia Topuria and Paddy Pimblett on the same night he should be able to put his name in the title mix with a victory over Ruffy at UFC 331.
