Arman Tsaruykan will have to wait a little longer for his lightweight title after UFC 311 last Saturday.
Islam Makhachev was originally scheduled to defend his 155-pound title against Arman Tsarukyan in the UFC 311 main event, but Tsarukyan withdrew hours before the weigh-in due to a back injury.
As a result, the Russian champion had to defend his title against late substitute Renato Moicano, who was already scheduled to fight Beneil Dariush on the undercard.
Makhachev then broke the UFC record for most title defenses in lightweight history with a first-round submission win over the Brazilian contender.
READ MORE: Dana White Completes Turnaround on Pound-for-Pound Debate Between Islam Makhachev and Jon Jones After UFC 311
Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG
Dana White reveals Arman Tsarukyan will not win the next lightweight title
With the 33-year-old having now defended his 155-pound title four times, his desire to win a second title may increase.
Following his extremely impressive dominance in the first round, UFC CEO Dana White shed some light on Tsarukyan's situation.
“No (he won't automatically be rebooked for a title fight),” White revealed at the UFC 311 post-fight press conference.
“Yes, he's going back to the drawing board. I don't want anyone to ever fight injured, you know, we've been in these positions before, went there with the doctor, went there with Heather from the PI, who, you can ask any fighter or anyone else, she's the best in the world.
“Sometimes you miss opportunities and he did that too, so we'll see how this works out for him next year. I have no idea (if he could have competed at UFC 311), only he knows,” White continued.
Tsarukyan confused fans when he admitted just weeks before the biggest fight of his career that he is not 100% committed to MMA.
Unfortunately for the 28-year-old, despite working his way up to a title shot for years, he will now have to fight another contender to once again earn the shot he missed due to injury.
Arman Tsarukyan called by Michael Chandler after UFC 311
Former UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira had a similar situation when he was scheduled to face Makhavhev at UFC 294 but pulled out a week after suffering a training hiatus.
'Do Bronx' then fought 'Ahalkalakets' at UFC 300 for number one contendership and subsequently lost.
With news that Tsarukyan needs at least one more win before he can be considered for another title shot, he has been called up by UFC star Michael Chandler.
'Iron' Mike last fought at UFC 309, losing to Oliveira after demanding a fight rather than wait for Conor McGregor's return.
'You don't show up, you don't get a chance. Beat me if you can, Arman Tsarukyan,” Chandler said on X.
I flew to Sioux Falls, SD 96 hours before a fight to receive 12 injections in my spine and then flew to the fight location. Still appeared. Still gaining weight. Still fighting. Real fighters do that…
— Michael Chandler (@MikeChandlerMMA) January 19, 2025
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That aside, Makhachev is quickly becoming the greatest lightweight fighter of all time and his next title defense will likely be a rematch against the aforementioned Oliveira.
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