No. 2-ranked UFC lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan has positive news for his fans.
This past weekend at RAF 06, after Tsarukyan punched his opponent, Georgio Poullas, following their freestyle wrestling match, many fans pointed out that the 29-year-old’s repeated antics, both inside and outside the UFC, may never earn him another title shot.
Despite being the top contender, the Armenian was not given a title shot for reasons like punching a fan at UFC 300, headbutting Dan Hooker last year, and, before that, the UFC 311 title fight pullout due to a hernia.
However, “Ahalkalakets” recently revealed to Ariel Helwani that he has been talking to Hunter Campbell about fighting for the lightweight title, and there is good news. Tsarukyan said he could potentially fight for the 155-pound strap later this year, and there are also other lucrative options on the table for him.
“I already talked to Hunter [Campbell] a couple of weeks ago. We got a couple of options, like a title fight, just fights. Any title fight. 170,145,155 [pounds].”
He added:
“Fighting for the 155-pound title in September and October after [Ilia Topuria vs. Justin Gaethje].”
Check out Arman Tsarukyan’s comments below:
Reigning UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria’s next fight is against current and two-time interim champ Justin Gaethje. The two are expected to throw down at the White House on June 14 or during International Fight Week.
After the title unification bout, once the dust settles, Arman Tsarukyan expects to receive a title shot, which he deserves and has been waiting for over a year.
Arman Tsarukyan believes UFC should be happy with him after RAF 06 melee
During the same sit-down with Ariel Helwani, Arman Tsarukyan said that the UFC should be happy with him after what he did to Georgio Poullas during and after their freestyle wrestling match.
Now, multiple clips have surfaced showing Poullas slapping, eye-poking, and throwing several hand strikes at Tsarukyan, instead of wrestling.
Tsarukyan, however, waited for the official buzzer, won the contest (5-3), and then punched Poullas in the face.
The Armenian believes that at RAF 06, he showed the world that UFC fighters are on a different level, and hence, the promotion has no reason whatsoever to think he doesn’t deserve a title shot.
“They should be happy that a UFC fighter didn’t let anyone beat him. UFC fighter number one went into freestyle wrestling, beat the freestyle wrestler, and showed the level of the UFC.”
Check out Arman Tsarukyan’s comments below:
