Arman Tsarukyan turned down a title fight. The Armenian fighter put on a strong performance against the former UFC Champion Charles Oliveira at UFC 300. He beat the Brazilian via split decision after three rounds of fighting. Following the event, Dana White confirmed Islam Makhachev’s next title fight against Dustin Poirier at UFC 302. However, according to Tsarukyan’s manager, the UFC offered the fight to him first.
Arman Tsarukyan is definitely in line for a title shot soon. However, the Armenian might have decided not to fight again immediately since he did suffer some damage against Oliveira. Following his latest win, the 27-year-old’s manager spoke to Vadim Tikhomirov in an interview on YouTube. Championship Rounds on X translated the interview about the potential title fight. Tsarukyan’s manager said,
“The fight with Islam on June 1st was offered to us…there was no point in going into a title fight with Islam on short notice.”
Arman Tsarukyan’s manager says that the UFC came to them right after the win at #UFC300 with an offer to fight Islam Makhachev at #UFC302 on June 1st.
He says they rejected the offer, and shortly after, Islam vs Poirier was officially announced.
Arman Tsarukyan is expected to… pic.twitter.com/UXLxJJ5Wfw
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) April 14, 2024
Arman Tsarukyan’s manager revealed that the team decided not to go into a fight against Islam Makhachev on short notice. They wanted Tsarukyan to be well rested and on top of his game before challenging for the title. The plan now would be to fight the winner of Makhachev vs. Poirier since he is now the #1 contender in the division.
Meanwhile, footages emerged showing Tsarukyan punching a fan at the UFC 300. The Armenian fighter spoke about this incident during his walkout as he sent out a warning to all fans.
Arman Tsarukyan sends out a warning to all fans following UFC 300
During his walkout, tensions were palpable around the arena as not many fans cheered for Arman Tsarukyan. Things got heated up as Tsarukyan was nearing the octagon when he snapped and attacked a fan. The video instantly went viral on social media and the reporters asked him about the same in the post-fight press conference. Tsarukyan said,
“Guys, like no one show me f*ck off (the middle finger), doesn’t matter who you are….I’m from Russia. Don’t do that, please. Or I’m going to go to prison in the U.S.”
“I’m from Russia. Don’t do that, please. Or I’m going to go to prison in the U.S.”
Arman Tsarukyan talks about his altercation with a fan on the way to the cage at #UFC300 pic.twitter.com/SBwegmW4pQ
— MMA Fighting (@MMAFighting) April 14, 2024
Arman Tsarukyan elaborated about how the fan tried to flip him off so he had to retaliate. He then warned fans not to do such things to his face because then he would have to punch them back. Well, Tsarukyan did get back at the fans booing him by triumphing over Charles Oliveira. He will now have his eyes fixed on the lightweight gold when he attempts to take it from the current champion later this year.
