Ilia Topuria says he is ready to face Arman Tsarukyan if circumstances force a late change to his upcoming title fight at the UFC’s planned White House event on June 14.
Topuria (17-0 MMA, 9-0 UFC), the reigning lightweight champion, is currently scheduled to meet interim titleholder Justin Gaethje (27-5 MMA, 10-5 UFC) at the gala event in a title unification bout. However, speaking Monday on The Ariel Helwani Show, “El Matador” made clear he is open to stepping in against Tsarukyan (23-3 MMA, 10-2 UFC) should Gaethje withdraw due to injury.
Topuria revealed that his first choice for the event had actually been welterweight champion Islam Makhachev (28-1 MMA, 17-1 UFC). When that option fell through, he quickly accepted the matchup with Gaethje.
“Listen, as I said in many interviews, I just got the call,” Topuria said. “They offered me Islam or Justin. I picked Islam. Then they told me that Islam was injured. I was said that I was facing Justin.”
Tsarukyan’s position in the title picture has been uncertain since he withdrew from a scheduled title fight against then-lightweight champion Makhachev in January 2025 due to a back injury. He was subsequently bypassed when the UFC booked an interim title fight at UFC 324, where Gaethje defeated Paddy Pimblett.
Despite that, Topuria indicated he has no issue facing Tsarukyan if the opportunity arises.
“If they call me tomorrow and they tell me that Justin is injured and I have to fight Arman, I will fight Arman, no problem,” Topuria said. “If they call me and they tell me that Arman is injured, I have to fight Ariel. I'm going to fight Ariel, no problem. Whoever, whenever. Just... I'm ready.”
