UFC President Dana White remains skeptical about Arman Tsarukyan’s return to the UFC lightweight title scene after the Russian fighter withdrew from his scheduled championship bout against Islam Makhachev at UFC 311. White’s comments indicate that Tsarukyan faces a challenging path back to a title opportunity, as the UFC chief emphasizes the importance of reliability in title contenders.
In an interview with Complex News, Dana White was asked if it was controversial to bypass Tsarukyan for the UFC 324 interim lightweight championship fight between Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett. White stated,
“Tsarukyan’s got to work his way back up there, man. Tsarukyan has had the opportunity, he didn’t take it… I have to be able to count on [them] if somebody is going to fight for a world championship. I’ve got to be able to count on him. It’s like the whole Jon Jones thing right now, you know.”
White’s remarks underlined that earning a title shot requires more than just talent; it also demands consistency and trustworthiness from the fighters involved. Regarding Tsarukyan’s efforts to regain a title shot after his recent victory over Dan Hooker, White added,
“Well, he just fought this last fight [against Dan Hooker]. He won, almost headbutted [Hooker] in the face, and almost blew the fight by headbutting him in the face at the weigh-ins. We’ll see.”
The UFC president compared Tsarukyan’s situation to that of Jon Jones, another fighter currently in an uncertain position within the organization. Although Jones is pursuing a comeback at UFC White House with hopes of facing Alex Pereira, White expressed doubts about Jones’ readiness to compete on the high-profile card following past issues.
MMA Analyst Suggests Tsarukyan Must Prove Himself Again Before Title Shot
Controversial MMA commentator MMA Guru recently shared opinions regarding Tsarukyan’s chances of returning to the title picture. Speaking on the Full Send Podcast, the analyst proposed that Tsarukyan might need to secure a victory against the winner of the upcoming BMF title fight between Max Holloway and Charles Oliveira to reestablish himself.
MMA Guru said,
“What’s happening for Arman next? I think he’ll fight the winner of Oliveira vs. Holloway. He needs to win one more, I reckon… I thought he had earned it back as well [after he beat Dan Hooker], but Dana doesn’t like that s**t. Like, if you mess up an event for him, he hates you for it.”
This perspective highlights the difficulty Tsarukyan faces, as regaining White’s trust appears crucial for advancing toward a championship opportunity.
Implications for Tsarukyan’s UFC Future and Title Prospects
Dana White’s cautious stance signals a significant obstacle for Arman Tsarukyan in his quest for a UFC lightweight title shot. Given the unforgiving environment for fighters who miss or disrupt pivotal events, Tsarukyan must demonstrate both exceptional performance and dependability to reclaim a top contender position. His upcoming matchups and behavior inside and outside the cage will likely determine whether he can bridge the current gap between himself and the UFC championship.
With seasoned champions like Islam Makhachev holding firm control of the title landscape, and the involvement of fighters such as Justin Gaethje, Paddy Pimblett, Max Holloway, and Charles Oliveira in the lightweight division’s upper echelons, Tsarukyan’s road back demands patience, high-level wins, and intact professional relationships with UFC leadership. How his next fights unfold will be critical in shaping his ultimate return to championship contention.
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