A top lightweight contender is on standby in case anything goes wrong ahead of UFC 317.
Ilia Topuria and Charles Oliveira are set to square off for the vacant 155lb title on June 28.
It seems the powers that be have learned a lesson after failing to book a backup for UFC 311 in January.
Islam Makhachev ended up beating Renato Moicano on 24 hours’ notice after a mad scramble to find a new opponent when Arman Tsarukyan dropped out of their fight at the last minute.
UFC 317 main event backup fighter revealed
On Sunday, Russian racecar driver Nikita Mazepin shared a picture of him and Arman Tsarukyan on Instagram.
In the comment section, a fan asked the #1-ranked lightweight contender when his next fight is.
Tsarukyan claimed he could be competing for a world title in two weeks’ time in his response.
According to the Armenian, he will be the main event backup fighter at UFC 317.
“I’m the backup for UFC 317,” Tsarukyan wrote.
The UFC and Dana White will likely confirm Tsarukyan’s role when we get closer to fight week.
Arman Tsarukyan wants to restore his reputation
Tsarukyan choked out a Bellator legend when he returned to the cage last month.
The 28-year-old squared off against Patricky ‘Pitbull’ Freire in a grappling match at ADXC in Russia.
It took five rounds for Tsarukyan to tap out the Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt with a rear-naked choke.
Post-fight, Tsarukyan detailed his plan to restore his reputation after a ‘misinterpreted’ injury led to claims he ‘ducked’ a fight with Makhachev.
“I’m not sure if that’s needed, but if they offered me it I will definitely back it up,” he said about Topuria vs Oliveira.
“I will be ready. I’m flying back to the US now and will be staying there in case anyone is injured and they ask me if I’m ready. I will say yes.”
“Absolutely positive,” Tsarukyan added when asked if he would also step in for Dustin Poirier or Max Holloway, who are due to complete their trilogy of fights at UFC 318 in New Orleans on July 19.
“I need to take chances now. I got injured, and the injury was misinterpreted.
“The doctor didn’t let everybody know what really happened, so some people still think I ducked that fight.
“Now I just need to get back on track, so I’m going to do whatever the UFC tells me to do.”