One injury can change the fate of a fighter in the UFC. And Arman Tsarukyan is getting to learn the same the hard way. Just months back, Tsarukyan was the official number one challenger for the lightweight championship. Unfortunately, an injury concern made him pull out of the bout with just days remaining. And this did not sit well with the UFC.
Following his withdrawal, Dana White stated that Tsarukyan will have to start from scratch. However, the Armenians now have an outside chance of getting a title shot.
In a recent update, the Armenian fighter stated that he will be present at UFC 317, but this time as an official replacement for the title fight between Charles Oliveira and Ilia Topuria. While this does give him a glimmer of hope, there have been no significant injury concerns from either fighter’s camp.
🚨Arman Tsarukyan says he will be the back-up fighter for the UFC 317 main event fight between Ilia Topuria and Charles Oliveira at international fight week in Las Vegas. pic.twitter.com/FeBH45fNG7
— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) June 16, 2025
Now, the opportunity means that the UFC is considering him a close contender for the title. Having had his UFC career driven the wrong way, Tsarukyan is trying hard to get it back on track.
Arman Tsarukyan Drops Major UFC Plans
In a recent statement, Tsarukyan had an honest confession to make. He stated that his injury was genuine. Unfortunately, it was interpreted the wrong way. And as a result, his chances of climbing the top of the lightweight mountain were significantly thwarted. But now, Tsarukyan is committed to his work and wants to do whatever the UFC wants him to do.
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“Now I just need to get back on track, so I’m going to do whatever the UFC tells me to do,” said Tsarukyan.
Arman Tsarukyan says he’ll be ready to step in as a backup for the upcoming lightweight bouts: Ilia Topuria vs. Charles Oliveira and Dustin Poirier’s farewell fight against Max Holloway.
— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) June 1, 2025
"I need to take chances now. I got injured, and the injury was misinterpreted," Tsarukyan… pic.twitter.com/w0GWztiZBO
Thus, with things looking quite complicated, it now remains to be seen how things pan out in the future.
Also Read: Paddy Pimblett Refuses To Fight Arman Tsarukyan, Calls Out THIS Fighter Instead
