Arman Tsarukyan`s current relationship with the UFC appears strained, to say the least.
Just four months ago, in January, Tsarukyan was slated to headline UFC 311 against lightweight champion and pound-for-pound king Islam Makhachev. However, a back injury the day before the event forced him out, and according to UFC CEO Dana White, that opportunity for a title shot has since passed him by.
Tsarukyan, who recently competed successfully at Karate Combat 54, is still awaiting his next assignment in the UFC. Speaking to Sport24, he revealed that matchmakers proposed Mateusz Gamrot as his opponent. However, Tsarukyan opted to decline this offer because Gamrot is ranked below him (currently No. 7 in the official UFC rankings).
“Gamrot. What’s the point?” Tsarukyan stated regarding the proposed fight. “If someone needs it, they need it more than I do. Why did he get such a gift?”
Accepting the bout would have presented Tsarukyan with a chance to avenge a loss from June 2022 to Gamrot. Their previous encounter was a thrilling, back-and-forth battle that earned Fight of the Night honors, with Gamrot ultimately securing the decision victory. That defeat, along with his UFC debut loss to Makhachev, are Tsarukyan`s only blemishes inside the octagon.
For Tsarukyan, risking his current high ranking simply wasn`t worth it, even for the potential of headlining an event this summer.
“They offered me a fight in Abu Dhabi in July, main event of the evening, but I refused because they offered an opponent I didn’t want to fight,” Tsarukyan explained. “He’s ranked below me and I didn’t see the point in fighting him just for money. There’s no point in me to fight him in MMA. I need to fight at least from the top 5 or 6 to win and guarantee myself a title shot next. There’s no point in just fighting.”
He elaborated on his position: “I am ranked very high. Why should I gift a fight to someone ranked much lower? Nobody gave me such a gift when I was climbing the ranks. I fought opponents ranked 9, 8, 7, 5, and 4 on my way up before reaching a top position. I don’t want to give up my rank just like that.”
When asked if he was concerned his refusal might displease UFC officials, Tsarukyan turned the question back around, indicating he felt he was the one who had been treated improperly by the suggested pairing.
“No,” Tsarukyan replied. “The UFC has angered me that they offered me such an opponent.”
He continued, expressing his view: “For them, this is disrespectful towards me. I deserve better. I am ranked among the top. I’m not saying give me a title fight, but give me a clear No. 1 contender fight.”
