Arman Tsarukyan says he’s not being frozen out by the UFC.
Last year, Tsarukyan was set to challenge Islam Makhachev for the lightweight title at UFC 311, until a last-minute injury forced him from the card just a day before the event. That withdrawal put Tsarukyan in the doghouse with the UFC, and he’s been trying to work his way out ever since. The only problem is that Tsarukyan keeps getting into trouble.
In November, Tsarukyan headbutted Dan Hooker during the ceremonial weigh-ins for UFC Qatar,
which drew admonishment from Dana White, and earlier this month, Tsarukyan assaulted Georgio Poullas after their wrestling match at RAF 7, again drawing the UFC CEO’s ire. But despite his outside the cage issues, and White’s criticisms, Tsarukyan insists he’s on fine terms with the real decision makers at the UFC.
“I don’t know why Dana speaks ill of me, but I have no problem with them, or any behind-the-scenes issues,” Tsarukyan told Red Corner MMA after his grappling match with Muhammad Mokaev at Hype Brazil.
“… There’s no point in addressing [Dana White], because I don’t negotiate with him. I am in talks with Hunter [Campbell], because he’s in charge of matchmaking. Dana probably just approves everything related to fights. But the actual matchmakers are Sean Shelby, Hunter, so I’ve got nothing to say to Dana.”
In the absence of a lightweight title shot, Tsarukyan has spent much of the past year doing side quests, competing in grappling and wrestling matches, including a dominant submission win over Mokaev on Wednesday evening. But at 29 years old, Tsarukyan is in the prime of his career, and would like to get back to his real job soon.
“I need to ask Hunter for a fight,” Tsarukyan said. “We talked this morning and he gave me a date for my next fight.”
Tsarukyan is currently on a five-fight win streak in the UFC, and many feel he is the most deserving challenger to Ilia Topuria’s lightweight title; however, Tsarukyan was passed over for an interim title fight in January, meaning Topuria will now defend his belt against Justin Gaethje at UFC White House. Gaethje is a huge underdog, and looking ahead to the matchup, Tsarukyan had some simple advice for the future Hall of Famer.
“I would recommend him to get injured during his camp and let me step up and get the title,” Tsarukyan quipped. “After that, he can fight me.”
TOP STORIES
War. Joe Rogan: It’s ‘weird to have a fight at the White House in the middle of a f*cking war.’
Title fight. Khamzat Chimaev vs. Sean Strickland booked as main event for UFC 328.
Statement. Cain Velasquez releases first statement following release from prison: ‘It’s good to be out.’
Ratings. UFC 326 gets sizable boost from simulcast on CBS that peaked with over 3 million viewers.
Rankings. Charles Oliveira makes huge jump up the rankings, Max Holloway tumbles after UFC 326.
VIDEO STEW
Reaction to the UFC fights.
Between the Links.
The announcement.
Bisping reacts to the fights announced.
Israel Adesanya putting in work.
SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE
Ronda.
Oscar going in on Zuffa.
Nate Diaz.
Movin on up.
DJ shut this down entirely.
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Beneil Dariush (23-7-1) vs. Quilland Salkilld (11-1); UFC Perth, May 2.
Khamzat Chimaev (15-0) vs. Sean Strickland (30-7); UFC 328, May 9.
Alexander Volkov (39-11) vs. Waldo Cortes-Acosta (17-2); UFC 328, May 9.
Sean Brady (18-2) vs. Joaquin Buckley (21-7); UFC 328, May 9.
Jan Blachowicz (29-11-2) vs. Bogdan Guskov (18-3-1); UFC 328, May 9.
King Green (34-17-1) vs. Jeremy Stephens (29-22); UFC 328, May 9.
Arnold Allen (20-4) vs. Melquizael Costa (26-7); UFC Vegas 117, May 16.
Song Yadong (22-9-1) vs. Deiveson Figueiredo (25-6-1); UFC Macau, May 30.
Zhang Mingyang (19-7) vs. Alonzo Menifield (17-6-1); UFC Macau, May 30.
Sergei Pavlovich (20-3) vs. Tallison Teixeira (9-1); UFC Macau, May 30.
Belal Muhammad (24-5) vs. Gabriel Bonfim (19-1); UFC Vegas 118, June 6.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Man, that was a lot of fights announced. And if you were feeling like the UFC had stopped trying, I’m not sure this swath of announcements changed your mind.
If you find something you’d like to see in the Morning Report, hit up @AlexanderKLee of @JedKMeshew on Twitter and let us know about it. Also, follow MMAFighting on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, Twitch, and like us on Facebook.
