UFC lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan is adamant about fighting for the title in either October or the start of November, whether it is against current champion, Islam Makhachev or not.
Number one lightweight contender, Arman Tsarukyan, was issued a nine-month ban following an altercation he had with a fan during his UFC 300 walkout.
Despite the brief altercation, ‘Ahalkalakets’ went on to beat the former champion, Charles Oliveira, thinking he earned himself a title shot in the process.
Arman Tsarukyan wants to fight for the title in October or early November
Lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev, is hopeful of fighting in October at UFC 308, but he has also flirted with the idea of moving up to welterweight to challenge for a second belt.
Tsarukyan’s nine-month ban will be reduced to six months if he partakes in an anti-bullying social video, which he is planning on doing.
“I just need to make that video, then hopefully I’m going to fight at the end of October or early November,” the 27-year-old told Sport 24 (via Red Corner MMA).
Although Makhachev has talked about potentially moving up to fight Leon Edwards, if the Brit is victorious at UFC 304 on July 27, Tsarukyan doesn’t think the UFC will let him, as he has a verbal agreement with them that he will fight for the title next.
“No, they won’t (make me wait) because we have a verbal agreement that I’m fighting for the title. I don’t know if (Islam) was told that but they told me I’m next in line. To be honest, I don’t care if he moves up a weight class, just give me the interim title then, or let him vacate the title.
“It’s not about fighting Islam, I just need to become the champion,” Tsarukyan continued.
Arman Tsarukyan hoping to train with top welterweight in preparation for Makhachev
Despite not caring whether he fights Makhachev next or not, the Armenian is currently preparing for that outcome and is hoping to draft in the services of top welterweight, Khamzat Chimaev, to help him prepare for the Russian’s wrestling.
Tsarukyan has felt the dominance of Makhachev’s Dagestani style wrestling before, as in his UFC debut back in 2019, he fought the 32-year-old.
Since then, the 27-year-old has gone on to win nine fights, losing only once controversially against Mateusz Gamrot.
The UFC is unlikely to let Makhachev move up without defending the belt against Tsarukyan, and CEO Dana White stated at the UFC 302 post-fight press conference that ‘it needs to happen’ before the Russian considers fighting for another belt.
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