Arman Tsarukyan Drops Shocking Bombshell About The UFC President
By 813 Staff
The 28-second knockout of Beneil Dariush at UFC Austin in December 2023 wasn't just a highlight-reel finish; it was Arman Tsarukyan's formal declaration for a title shot. That violent statement, followed by a dominant decision over former champion Charles Oliveira, cemented him as the undeniable top contender in the UFC's lightweight division. Yet, as the promotion finalized UFC 307 in Salt Lake City, Tsarukyan's name was curiously absent from the championship conversation, a decision that has now sparked a revealing and tense public airing of grievances between the fighter and the promotion's top executive.
In a recent interview with Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight), Tsarukyan pulled back the curtain on his strained relationship with UFC CEO Dana White. The fighter stated plainly that he and White "already... don't have a relationship," citing the promotion's decision to book Islam Makhachev against Dustin Poirier for the title at UFC 302 in June as the breaking point. Tsarukyan revealed he was offered that same title shot but turned it down due to the short turnaround from his April fight, a decision he believes has now cost him his standing. "They don't like me because I didn't take that fight," Tsarukyan said, framing the Poirier booking as punitive.
League sources confirm a palpable frustration within Tsarukyan's camp, who feel their fighter is being sidelined despite a pristine resume. The front office has been quietly firm in its stance that turning down a title opportunity, for any reason, resets the queue. Those close to the situation say this isn't merely about scheduling; it's a fundamental clash over the unwritten rules of contender status. Tsarukyan's public comments are a strategic gamble, an attempt to leverage fan and media pressure to force the UFC's hand, a tactic with a famously mixed record of success.
What happens next is a waiting game with high stakes. Tsarukyan is effectively in purgatory, needing to see how the Makhachev-Poirier bout plays out. A Makhachev win likely sets up the long-awaited rematch, but the UFC has shown a willingness to bypass logical contenders for bigger-money fights. The uncertainty now is whether Tsarukyan's candid remarks have burned a bridge or simply illuminated a negotiating position. His immediate future hinges on the promotion's next move, and whether a cold business relationship can be thawed for the sake of what most observers agree is the most deserving title fight to make. For now, the fighter who earned his shot with his fists is left to fight for it with his words.
Source: https://x.com/Home_of_Fight/status/2033136059282833514
