UFC lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan has made bold claims on The Ariel Helwani Show, stating that he believes Charles Oliveira pulled out of their rumored rematch by using the death of UFC flyweight fighter Allan Nascimento as an excuse.
Tsarukyan, who is returning to UFC competition against Mauricio Ruffy at UFC 331 on September 19 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, was heavily rumored to be matched up with Oliveira until the death of Nascimento. Oliveira was a close friend of Nascimento, as the two fighters trained together at the notorious Chute Boxe Diego Lima gym in Brazil, and he was open about his mourning on social media.
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Arman TsarukyanMark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Tsarukyan, however, believes that Oliveira’s public mourning of his training partner was a convenient way for the former lightweight champion to skirt around a rematch.
Tsarukyan Makes Bold Claims
Tsarukyan claims that UFC matchmakers promised him a rematch with Oliveira, but had to rebook him with Ruffy instead.
“So I was supposed to fight with Charles for five rounds, and then I went for my training camp,” he said. “Two weeks later, when I was in the mountains, they called me.”
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“[They told me] Charles’ friend died, and he couldn’t train. But I don’t understand, because three or four days later he was doing live streams and was back in camp,” he said, referencing clips of Oliveira doing TikTok live battles with people online (via Championship Rounds on X):
“Maybe he just found an excuse. Everybody is different, and losing somebody is so hard, but you could beat me and dedicate the victory to your friend,” he claimed.
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Reactions
MMA fans on social media had mixed reactions to Tsarukyan’s recent comments. While many viewed Tsarukyan’s comments as insensitive and hypocritical, others believed his comments were simply objective (responses to Championship Rounds on X):
“Can someone tell me what’s wrong with what Arman said?”
“Arman is genuinely the biggest pr— in the UFC. One to talk about excuses when he pulled out the biggest fight of his career against Islam.”
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“What a scummy thing to say from someone who’s never had to face any adversity since he left his mother’s womb.”
“Arman saying what we’re all thinking lol, this deffo isn’t gonna go down well with Charles and his fans though.”
“Crazy comment. I do think Charles is back training already, but why say these things?”
“I mean, Arman didn’t say anything wrong. The guy is on TikTok and does live streams. Besides, didn’t Oliveira say that his fight against Arman was a robbery?”
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“It’s like he pretends there isn’t a difference between being in the gym to help other guys out versus a dedicated training camp.”
Tsarukyan Speculates Oliveira’s New Matchup
Additionally, Tsarukyan made the speculative claim that Oliveira will instead fight featherweight Diego Lopes, who announced to Portuguese-language MMA outlet Ag.Fight that he would be moving up to lightweight and is already in advanced talks for his official lightweight debut.
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Diego Lopes(via Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)
Lopes vs. Oliveira was never announced, but Tsarukyan believes this is the next logical step for UFC matchmakers.
“Probably they already set up a fight with Diego Lopes,” he speculated.
He reiterated his belief that Oliveira is not paralyzed by grief to the point of stopping training altogether, and that “Do Bronx” would rather fight a more favorable matchup against Lopes.
“Of course (if he had to) fight me or Diego Lopes, for sure he would pick Diego Lopes,” he remarked. “It’s my I just thought that they’re probably going to make BMF versus him and Diego Lopez.”
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Aug 18, 2026, where it first appeared in the MMA section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
