Could Arman Tsarukyan find himself in the UFC lightweight title picture by the end of the year?
Tsarukyan (23-3 MMA, 10-2 UFC) has been iced out of the title equation after withdrawing just one day before his championship fight against Islam Makhachev at UFC 311. He then almost jeopardized his UFC Fight Night 265 headliner against Dan Hooker when he headbutted him during the weigh-ins. He wound up winning the fight by first-round submission.
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Despite his previous mishaps, Tsarukyan says he’s in good graces with the UFC. He insists that the promotion will have no issues with him attacking Georgio Poullas after their wrestling match at RAF 6 and that big things are on the horizon for him.
“I already talked to Hunter (Campbell) a couple of weeks ago. We’ve got a couple of options,” Tsarukyan said on “The Ariel Helwani Show.” “Like, title fights, like just fights, I don’t know, we’ll see how it plays out. Any, 170, 145, 155 (pounds). A fight for the 155 title in like September or October, after Justin.”
Max Holloway (27-8 MMA, 23-8 UFC) defends his BMF title against Charles Oliveira (36-11 MMA, 23-11 UFC) in Saturday’s UFC 326 headliner at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas (Paramount+). Could Tsarukyan face the winner?
“Yes,” Tsarukyan responded. “It was a good meeting. I always have good meetings. I’m always good with Hunter. They said keep doing what you’re doing.”
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Tsarukyan will keep himself busy by running things back with Poullas in a submission only grappling match under the Hype FC banner on March 11 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Arman Tsarukyan shares surprisingly positive update on next UFC fight
