Daniel Cormier believes Arman Tsarukyan may know something the rest of the MMA world does not when it comes to the UFC lightweight title picture.
Tsarukyan (23-3 MMA, 10-2 UFC) has emerged as the odd man out at 155 pounds heading into 2026. While the division’s undisputed champion, Ilia Topuria (17-0 MMA, 9-0 UFC), is taking a leave of absence to address personal matters, Paddy Pimblett (22-3 MMA, 7-0 UFC) and Justin Gaethje (24-5 MMA, 9-5 UFC) are scheduled to compete for the interim title in the main event of UFC 324 later this month.
Tsarukyan was previously slated to challenge then-champion Islam Makhachev (28-1 MMA, 17-1 UFC) at UFC 311 in Los Angeles last year, but withdrew at the eleventh hour due to a back injury. The incident appeared to frustrate UFC president Dana White, and the Armenian contender subsequently spent much of 2025 sidelined.
He returned in November at UFC Qatar, submitting Dan Hooker in the co-main event. Despite that performance, Tsarukyan was passed over in favor of Pimblett and Gaethje when UFC matchmakers sought viable headliners for the first numbered event of the new year.
“I don't know,” UFC commentator Cormier responded when Red Corner MMA asked him why Tsarukyan finds himself outside of the immediate title picture. “I don't know why Arman is not fighting for a title. I really don't. I've heard the reason (is) because of what happened in Los Angeles. I thought that by weighing in as the backup fighter when Ilia fought Charles (Oliveira), and (then) fighting (either) Charles Oliveira or Dan Hooker, it would be okay.”
Despite his claims toward a title shot seemingly being ignored, Tsarukyan has remained tight-lipped. Cormier believes that Tsarukyan may have struck some sort of deal behind closed doors with the UFC that is keeping him from being vocal about the situation.
“I don't know what the conversations that they're having behind closed doors are because they're telling him something that's making him OK with it,” Cormier speculated. “Because if he wasn't OK with it, he would be more loud about him not getting his opportunity. So I just I kind of defer to ‘they know more than we do.’ And so we got to kind of accept it for what it is, because it seems like Arman is doing that, too.”
