Arman Tsarukyan’s present relationship with the UFC sounds frosty, to place it calmly.
It was simply 4 months in the past in January that Tsarukyan was set to headline UFC 311 reverse light-weight champion and No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter Islam Makhachev. Catastrophe struck as a again harm compelled Tsarukyan out of that contest the day earlier than the occasion and in keeping with UFC CEO Dana White, that contender spot no longer belongs to Tsarukyan.
Tsarukyan—recently victorious at Karate Combat 54—nonetheless awaits his subsequent UFC reserving, although he advised Sport24 that matchmakers truly supplied him an opponent: Mateusz Gamrot. Nonetheless, as a result of Gamrot being decrease ranked (he’s presently No. 7 within the UFC’s official rankings), Tsarukyan selected to cross.
“Gamrot,” Tsarukyan stated (Russian-to-English translation by way of Championship Rounds). “What’s the purpose? If somebody wants it, they want it greater than I do. Why did he get such a present?”
Had the bout materialized, Tsarukyan would have had an opportunity to avenge a June 2022 loss to Gamrot. The 2 went back-and-forth in an exciting Battle of the Evening-winning affair, with Gamrot incomes the choice win. That is still Tsarukyan’s solely different UFC defeat outdoors of a loss to Makhachev in Tsarukyan’s octagon debut.
For Tsarukyan, it simply wasn’t price risking his place even with a headlining spot obtainable this summer time.
“They supplied me a battle in Abu Dhabi in July, principal occasion of the night, however I refused as a result of they supplied an opponent I didn’t wish to battle,” Tsarukyan stated. “He’s ranked under me and I didn’t see the purpose in preventing him only for cash. There’s no level in me to battle him in MMA. I have to battle at the very least from the highest 5 or 6 to win and assure myself a title shot subsequent. There’s no level in simply preventing.
“I’m No. 1, why ought to I reward a battle to No. 10. No person gave me such a present after I was within the high 10. I fought high 9, high 8, high 7, high 5, high 4, earlier than I grew to become No. 1. I don’t wish to surrender my rank similar to that.”
Requested if he’s anxious his refusal to battle Gamrot might upset UFC officers, Tsarukyan turned the query round. Because it seems, he feels he’s the one which was wronged by the matchup suggestion.
“No,” Tsarukyan stated. “The UFC has angered me that they supplied me such an opponent.”
“For them, that is disrespectful in the direction of me,” he continued. “I deserve higher. I’m ranked No. 1. I’m not saying give me a title battle, however give me a No. 1 contender battle.”
