Mighty Arman Doesn't Have Time For Bums Like 'Baddy'

03/11/2025 02:20 PM

Arman Tsarukyan is ready to reestablish his place atop the lightweight division.

The No. 1-ranked title contender, who squandered his opportunity by blowing out his back ahead of UFC 311 in Los Angeles, is looking to join promotion's upcoming pay-per-view (PPV) schedule within the next several weeks, and already has his sights on one of the most exciting fighters on the roster.

None other than 155-pound "Highlight" reel, Justin Gaethje.

"My back is feeling good and I'm ready, if they gonna give me fight in May or end of April, it would be great," Tsarukyan told The Schmo. "I wanna fight with contenders, someone from Top 5. It's Gaethje or [Charles] Oliveira. Gaethje wants to fight for the title. It makes sense to fight with me, because nobody gonna give him title fight. It's not gonna be fair that he's gonna get title fight. So he's gotta beat me or Oliveira to get title fight. So there is Ilia (Topuria) too."

Ilia Topuria recently surrendered his featherweight title to jump up to 155 pounds.

"I think they're gonna give me Oliveira or Gaethje or maybe title fight, so I dunno yet. I'm open to everybody from Top 5," Tsarukyan continued. "I don't wanna fight someone from Top 10 because I'm No. 1 contender and I gotta fight for the title. I know I'm better than everybody there. The goal is fight for the title right away but UFC, whatever they say, I'm gonna do that."

Just as long as it's not against the winner of Michael Chandler vs. Paddy Pimblett, who collide in the UFC 314 co-main event on April 12 in Miami.

"They're both not good so I don't follow them," Tsarukyan continued. "It's like 50-50 fight. It's just hype fight. I don't watch their fights because they're not on my level."

Tsarukyan (22-3) is the winner of four straight and coming off a split decision victory over Charles Oliveira roughly one year back.