Arman Tsarukyan is confident he will face the winner of the Ilia Topuria vs. Justin Gaethje bout at UFC Casa Branca , scheduled for June 14th. Currently ranked number one in the lightweight division (up to 70,3 kg), the Armenian sees himself next in line for the title, which will be unified between the Spaniard and the American. Even so, aware of the high risk of changes to the card due to the special event's safety protocols, the fighter assures that he is prepared to take the spot if necessary.
In an interview with Ariel Helwani, Tsarukyan indicated that he might return to fight at the same event if there are any unforeseen circumstances in the main fight. According to him, the decision regarding his next fight should be made after the bout between Topuria and Gaethje.
“If something happens in the main White House fight, I’ll come back to fight, so I’ll fight there. They will announce my next fight after the fight between Ilia and Gaethje,” said Arman Tsarukyan.
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The Armenian fighter also highlighted that he intends to keep his weight under control so he's ready at the last minute, should he be called up just days before the event. Furthermore, he acknowledged that different scenarios could unfold before the fight and sees this uncertainty as a potentially positive opportunity for his career.
"I'll keep my weight down if they call me four or five days beforehand. There are a few different things that can happen. It could be a good thing," the Armenian concluded.
Arman Tsarukyan forgotten by UFC
Despite holding the number one ranking in the lightweight division (up to 70,3 kg), Arman Tsarukyan has yet to have the opportunity to fight for the UFC belt. When he was finally scheduled to fight for the title at UFC 311 , the Armenian ended up injuring his back the day before the fight and had to be removed from the card, being replaced by Renato Moicano.
As if that weren't enough, Tsarukyan was subsequently placed only as a reserve in the fight between Charles Oliveira and Ilia Topuria , valid for the vacant belt at UFC 317. Then, in the interim lightweight title fight at UFC 324, the athlete wasn't even considered by the organization, which opted instead for Paddy Pimblett and Justin Gaethje.
After watching the American defeat the Briton and win the interim belt, Arman Tsarukyan once again witnessed a lightweight title fight without his name involved, as Justin Gaethje and Ilia Topuria are lined up for a title unification bout at UFC White House.
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