Arman Tsarukyan may be the No. 2-ranked contender in the UFC’s lightweight division, but for now he appears to be on the outside looking in at the title picture.
While the championship conversation has shifted elsewhere, Tsarukyan (23-3 MMA, 10-2 UFC) has stayed active by competing in professional grappling. The Armenian has picked up several victories on the mats, including appearances under the Real American Freestyle banner. Just this week, he secured a submission win over former UFC flyweight contender Muhammad Mokaev at Hype Fighting Championships in Rio de Janeiro.
Despite his momentum, Tsarukyan was not included in the recent interim lightweight title bout between Justin Gaethje (27-5 MMA, 10-5 UFC) and Paddy Pimblett (23-4 MMA, 7-1 UFC) at UFC 324 in January. Gaethje won that fight and is now scheduled to face undisputed champion Ilia Topuria (17-0 MMA, 9-0 UFC) in the main event of UFC Freedom 250, which takes place at the White House on June 14.
Tsarukyan’s absence from the title discussion has raised eyebrows among fighters and analysts.
Speaking on the Pound4Pound podcast hosted by former UFC champions Kamaru Usman and Henry Cejudo, UFC middleweight contender Bo Nickal (8-1 MMA, 5-1 UFC) shared his thoughts on Tsarukyan’s situation and the activity he’s maintained outside the Octagon.
“I think Arman's so interesting,” Nickal said. “This dude's like just killing side quests all the time, right? He's doing the RAF matches, grappling matches. He's doing everything.”
Nickal, who has also competed under the Real American Freestyle banner and is scheduled to face Kyle Daukaus on the upcoming White House card, said Tsarukyan’s résumé still makes him a deserving contender for the lightweight belt.
“So, I don't know. I mean, yeah, he definitely deserves that title shot,” Nickal added. “I would like to see him versus the winner of Ilia and Gaethje.”
