Arman Tsarukyan still has work to do to get in Dana White’s good graces.
When the UFC recently booked an interim title bout, they overlooked the #1 lightweight contender.
Ilia Topuria’s personal issues have paved the way for Paddy Pimblett to fight Justin Gaethje at UFC 324 on January 24.
Many fans are shocked that Arman Tsarukyan won’t be involved in the interim 155lb title bout – but Dana White insists the Armenian fan favorite knows what he needs to do to earn a shot at MMA’s greatest prize.
Arman Tsarukyan shares his plans for staying busy following the controversial UFC title shot rejection
Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC
Dana White interviews Arman Tsarukyan
Dana White was questioned about his matchmaking choices after UFC 323 last Saturday.
Paddy Pimblett vs Justin Gaethje isn’t the only fight that has rubbed MMA fans the wrong way recently.
UFC CEO, Dana White, has also been criticized for booking a second fight between Alexander Volkanovski (left) and Diego Lopes (right) for UFC 325. This rematch will take place on the 31st of January.
“That’s the way it played out in the war room,”White responded bluntly to a question regarding his matchmaking choices.
The 56-year-old expanded on his answer when another reporter described Arman Tsarukyan as the ‘odd man out’ at lightweight.
White says Tsarukyan has to earn his place back in the mix after he backed out at the last moment of a title match against Islam Makhachev during UFC 311 held in January.
“I wouldn’t say he’s the odd man out,”The UFC boss has said.
“You know, he had an opportunity and you guys know how that played out.
“I don’t give a s— what the number says, he’s gonna have to work his way back.
“Just too much goes into this for those types of things to happen.
“You can’t do that. You can’t get the opportunity and then… It can’t end that way.
“So, he’s gotta work his way back.”
You are Dana White for the day, what’s the one change you’d make to the UFC?
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2025-12-07 07:56:03
