Arman Tsarukyan’s current relationship with the UFC sounds frosty, to put it lightly.
It was just four months ago in January that Tsarukyan was set to headline UFC 311 opposite lightweight champion and No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter Islam Makhachev. Disaster struck as a back injury forced Tsarukyan out of that contest the day before the event and according to UFC CEO Dana White, that contender spot no longer belongs to Tsarukyan.
Tsarukyan—recently victorious at Karate Combat 54—still awaits his next UFC booking, though he told Sport24 that matchmakers actually offered him an opponent: Mateusz Gamrot. However, due to Gamrot being lower ranked (he is currently No. 7 in the UFC’s official rankings), Tsarukyan chose to pass.
“Gamrot,” Tsarukyan said (Russian-to-English translation via Championship Rounds). “What’s the point? If someone needs it, they need it more than I do. Why did he get such a gift?”
Had the bout materialized, Tsarukyan would have had a chance to avenge a June 2022 loss to Gamrot. The two went back-and-forth in a thrilling Fight of the Night-winning affair, with Gamrot earning the decision win. That remains Tsarukyan’s only other UFC defeat outside of a loss to Makhachev in Tsarukyan’s octagon debut.
For Tsarukyan, it just wasn’t worth risking his position even with a headlining spot available this summer.
“They offered me a fight in Abu Dhabi in July, main event of the evening, but I refused because they offered an opponent I didn’t want to fight,” Tsarukyan said. “He’s ranked below me and I didn’t see the point in fighting him just for money. There’s no point in me to fight him in MMA. I need to fight at least from the top 5 or 6 to win and guarantee myself a title shot next. There’s no point in just fighting.
“I am No. 1, why should I gift a fight to No. 10. Nobody gave me such a gift when I was in the top 10. I fought top 9, top 8, top 7, top 5, top 4, before I became No. 1. I don’t want to give up my rank just like that.”
Asked if he’s worried his refusal to fight Gamrot could upset UFC officials, Tsarukyan turned the question around. As it turns out, he feels he’s the one that was wronged by the matchup suggestion.
“No,” Tsarukyan said. “The UFC has angered me that they offered me such an opponent.”
“For them, this is disrespectful towards me,” he continued. “I deserve better. I’m ranked No. 1. I’m not saying give me a title fight, but give me a No. 1 contender fight.”
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