Arman Tsarukyan is patiently waiting for his moment to shine.
The No. 1 lightweight contender has been in limbo since an ill-fated title fight against Islam Makhachev at UFC 311 fell apart 15 months ago. Tsarukyan was to headline the event with the opportunity to avenge a past loss to Makhachev and become champion at 155 pounds, but he was forced to withdraw from the card a day before fight night due to injury.
Tsarukyan returned in November when he defeated Dan Hooker at UFC Qatar, but that has been
his lone recent UFC fight, with the majority of his appearances being wrestling and grappling contests for promotions such as RAF. Meanwhile, Makhachev vacated his lightweight title and moved up to the welterweight division where he defeated Jack Della Maddalena to become a champion in a second division.
If a second fight with Makhachev never happens, Tsarukyan is content with the assumption that Makhachev will stop competing soon, leaving room for a new name to claim the top pound-for-pound spot.
“Not really,” Tsarukyan told Full Send MMA when asked if he’s still chasing Makhachev. “No, because he’s going to retire I think in two fights. One, two fights, he’s done. But me, I’m going to take over this sport in one year.
“Everybody’s just going to see me, when they see me they think about UFC because I’m going to be the face of UFC. Just I need a title to show up.”
Tsarukyan has had a rocky relationship with the UFC, with CEO Dana White saying publicly that “there’s a lot of different reasons” he has issues with the fighter, notably Tsarukyan’s penchant for getting into altercations outside of competition.
As far as Tsarukyan is concerned, he’s not aware of the promotion actively holding him back, and he promises if he gets his opportunity to become champion, White and the UFC will see his value.
“They worry about that I’m going to get the title and leave UFC,” Tsarukyan said. “But where am I going to [go] if I become a champion? So I want to be the best in the UFC and to be with that company because they built me and I appreciate that they signed me and made me a star and they gave me good fights, main events. I want to be a champion, I want to break records in our lightweight division, defend as much as possible. So Islam did four, I want to do five or six, and then we’ll see.
“I’m not young anymore, too, I’m 29, so I have maybe six, seven years. I’ve got to make a lot of money, be a champion, be the best fighter in the world and then yeah, I can leave.”
Tsarukyan says he’s never given the matchmakers a hard time when it comes to booking him because he doesn’t haggle over pay or choice of opponents. The Armenian standout frequently flaunts his wealth on social media, implying he doesn’t need to fight to live in luxury.
Still, he plans to stand firmer at the negotiation table when he has a belt around his waist.
“Right now, yes, but when I’m going to be champion, I’m going to ask for big money. … My goal was champion and then I’m going to make money, to build a legacy, take care of my family,” Tsarukyan said. “Yeah, that is good, but I have to make my own money.”
Tsarukyan already has his next wrestling assignment as he is scheduled to face UFC Hall of Famer Urijah Faber at RAF 8 in Philadelphia on April 18. He continues to wait for the UFC to send him a contract, one he’ll sign no questions asked.
“If they tell me, ‘OK, Arman, you’ve got to fight one more time,’ OK, I’ll fight,” Tsarukyan said. “I’ll fight anybody, so I’m not going to wait just for the title fight because I’m in my prime right now. I know I can beat everybody and if they want to see me [win] again, they can just give me name. I ask for anybody in our division who is in top 5, top 6.”
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VIDEO STEW
UFC 327 media day.
UFC 327 pre-fight press conference.
UFC 327 Embedded.
Behind the scenes with Lerone Murphy.
Break it down.
FLAVOR IN YOUR EAR
No Bets Barred. Jed Meshew and guest Long Island Luke break down the best bets for UFC 327.
SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE
Stay strong.
So smooth.
Al kills every time.
It would be kinda funny.
Never forget.
FEED ME MORE
Josh Hokit wasn’t shy at UFC 327 media day, that’s for sure.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Firmly nay.
EXIT POLL
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