Arman Tsarukyan feels like he`s currently on the sidelines in the UFC lightweight title contention.
Despite having a potential title fight against Islam Makhachev lined up just three months prior, which was cancelled due to a back injury, Tsarukyan hasn`t been guaranteed another opportunity.
Eager to prove himself, Tsarukyan is willing to face any opponent to earn a title shot. However, no fight has materialized yet. He believes the division`s movement hinges on Makhachev`s decision regarding his next fight.
“Currently, fighting me isn`t a priority because I don’t have the title,” Tsarukyan stated on the JAXXON podcast, explaining the lack of opponents. “Charles Oliveira and Ilia Topuria, like everyone else, are aiming for a title fight. Once the title picture becomes clearer, my next fight will likely be arranged.”
The top lightweight contenders might need to wait until after UFC 315 to understand their future matchups.
UFC 315 is headlined by welterweight champion Belal Muhammad`s title defense against Jack Della Maddalena. Muhammad and Makhachev are training partners, which has seemingly delayed Makhachev`s potential move to welterweight. If Della Maddalena wins, Makhachev might consider challenging him instead.
This scenario could lead to a vacant or interim lightweight title being contested. Tsarukyan expects to be in the mix for that interim title if Makhachev moves to the welterweight division.
“If Islam moves up to 170 pounds, then yes, I believe they will set up an interim title fight for me,” Tsarukyan speculated.
Tsarukyan wouldn`t be surprised if Ilia Topuria gets a direct title shot against Makhachev, bypassing other lightweight contenders. Topuria recently vacated his featherweight title to move to lightweight. If Muhammad remains champion and Makhachev stays at lightweight, the UFC might be inclined to book a high-profile Makhachev vs. Topuria fight.
Tsarukyan anticipates this being the likely scenario. He also suggests that even if Makhachev were to defeat Topuria, a fight between Makhachev and Tsarukyan would still be necessary for Makhachev to solidify his dominance in the lightweight division before potentially moving weight classes.
“I believe Topuria will definitely get a title fight,” Tsarukyan said. “I think he vacated the 145-pound belt because he was promised a title shot. … Islam might be hesitant to fight Topuria because if he wins, critics might say he just defeated a former featherweight champion who isn`t even the top lightweight contender.”
“If Islam defeats me, then I think he would have accomplished everything in this division. He would have beaten all top contenders, and only then can it be definitively said.”
