Former UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski believes Arman Tsarukyan may have damaged his standing with the UFC after opting against serving as the official backup fighter for last weekend's lightweight title fight between Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje.
Tsarukyan (23-3 MMA, 10-2 UFC) recently revealed that he had initially agreed to be the backup fighter for the main event at UFC Freedom 250 but ultimately decided against weighing in. Instead, the top-ranked lightweight competed against former UFC veteran Tony Ferguson at Real American Freestyle Wrestling (RAF) 10.
Despite being widely regarded as one of the best lightweights in the world, Tsarukyan has remained on the outside of the title picture since withdrawing from his scheduled championship bout against Islam Makhachev at UFC 311 in 2024. The late withdrawal reportedly left UFC officials frustrated, and his latest decision could further complicate his path back to a title opportunity.
Following Justin Gaethje's title-winning victory over Topuria last Sunday, speculation has already begun over who will be next in line to challenge for the lightweight championship. Speaking on the Bussin' With the Boys podcast, Volkanovski suggested Tsarukyan missed an opportunity to earn favor with the promotion.
"Guys, so Arman not doing that, I think it's going to hurt him and the UFC, they like to favor (you) if you do them a favor, (if) you be a company man, they will look after you. Like Diego Lopes. Look at him…look at the opportunities that bloke's getting. You said you've been to all the big events. (UFC) 300. He was at all of them, right? They're like, ‘yeah, we'll give him this, we'll give him that.’"
Volkanovski pointed to Diego Lopes as an example of a fighter who has benefited from consistently accepting opportunities presented by the promotion.
"(He) got two title fights in a row, right? (If) you do these things, you're exciting, and you're a company man, you don't say no, (if) you're like, ‘oh yeah, sweet, I'll take this guy, no worries, right,’ (then) they'll look after you."
Whether Tsarukyan's decision ultimately impacts his championship aspirations remains to be seen, but with the lightweight title picture now wide open following Gaethje's victory, the race for the next shot is expected to intensify in the coming weeks.
