Arman Tsarukyan already views himself as the UFC champion, despite seemingly being nowhere near a shot at the title.
The Armenian is currently on a winning streak that has seen him maintain the number one spot in the lightweight rankings. But after pulling out of his fight with Islam Makhachev for the belt at UFC 311, he has been forced down the pecking order by Dana White.
Should Arman Tsarukyan be taking fights in the UFC instead of competing elsewhere?
STILL ADDING HEATLance Palmer vs Arman Tsarukyan at RAF05.Get your tickets at the link in our bio or watch exclusively on @foxnation pic.twitter.com/kn4eOSyCLU— Real American Freestyle (@RAFWrestlingUSA) December 22, 2025
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This hasn’t dampened his spirit, as he signed up for not one, not two but three separate grappling matches after his win over Dan Hooker while he waits for the UFC to book him again. The first of those happened last week when he defeated Mehdi Baydulaev in Moscow.
OUCH: Paddy Pimblett says ‘spoiled brat’ Arman Tsarukyan is ‘lucky’ to have not been cut from the UFC
Arman Tsarukyan declares himself UFC champion as title shot goes elsewhere
Arman Tsarukyan has taken to social media to tell fans that he feels it is a mere ‘formality’ that he will win the UFC lightweight title. The belt is currently held by Ilia Topuria, but due to personal issues he can’t imminently defend and an interim bout has been made.
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That fight will be between Paddy Pimblett and…
2025-12-24 22:00:00
