The #1 lightweight in the world wants to fight on UFC 317.
The 22-3 Arman Tsarukyan was supposed to fight for the lightweight title of Islam Makhachev at UFC 311 in January, but a back injury would force Tsarukyan the day before the card.
As a result, Undercard Jager Renato Moicano Tsarukyan replaced in the main event and confirmed UFC CEO Dana White that Tsarukyan would have to fight again if he wanted a crack at Makhakev.
Things were shaken in the lightweight division earlier this week, when Makhakevet off his belt other for Welterweight Gold against Jack della Maddalena, as a result of which Ilia Topuria and Charles Oliveira, who defeated Tsarukyan on UFC 300, to fight for the vacant title on UFC 317.
After recently rejecting a 'disrespectful' offer from the UFC, Tsarukyan has a fairly good idea of who and when will his next fight be.
Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty images
Arman Tsarukyan saw Justin Gaethje fight on UFC 317
In the UFC Lightweight Rankings, Tsarukyan and former BMF champion Justin Gaethje are the only top 5 opportunities who have not been booked at the moment.
Both hunters were in the title interview earlier this year and they are more than likely to win another title chance.
“I feel that it should be Gaethje,” said Tsarukyan, when he was asked about his next opponent on the Jaxxon podcast.
“It's all logical.
“Oliveira is fighting for the title. Gaethje has no fight. Poirier is fighting with Max Holloway for the BMF title …
'Me and Justin [don’t] argue. So it's logical.
Arman Tsarukyan willing to become back -up hunter for Ilia Topuria vs. Charles Oliveira
Tsarukyan said the UFC approached him about fighting in October, but the #1 competition wants to remain active and rather instead of fighting later.
With Ilia Topuria and Charles Oliveira who fight for the title on 28 June, Tsarukyan is open to fighting Gaethje on the same night on UFC 317 and is willing to act as Oliveira or Topuria withdrew from the main event.
“International Vechtweek, I versus Gaethje,” Tsarukyan threw.
“Who knows if anyone is injured, I or Gaethje can fight for the title.
“They put Dariush and Moicano on that map [UFC 311].
“I think they need someone as a larger name and ranked on that card,” Tsarukyan suggested that the UFC book him versus Gaethje in case the UFC 317 headliner takes a hit.