Arman Tsarukyan, currently one of the lightweight division’s most formidable talents, has outlined his trajectory toward a championship bout. After a setback involving a last-minute withdrawal from his UFC 311 encounter against Islam Makhachev forced him to rebuild his standing, the contender confirms he has returned to the forefront of title contention. However, after withdrawing from his UFC 311 bout against Islam Makhachev at the last minute, Tsarukyan found himself having to work his way back into title contention. Get the latest updates on One Championship Rankings at and more.
In a recent discussion with Ariel Helwani, Tsarukyan noted that the UFC has assured him of a title opportunity occurring within the coming year. When asked to narrow down a potential window, he pointed to February or March 2025 as the most realistic timeline for his return to the octagon.
Tsarukyan is currently riding a six-fight win streak, bolstered by a first-round knockout of Mauricio Ruffy at UFC 331 this past September. His resume now includes high-profile victories over competitors such as Charles Oliveira and Beneil Dariush, solidifying his status as a top-tier challenger. It appears he has finally done so.
Despite his momentum, Tsarukyan expressed skepticism regarding whether current champion Justin Gaethje will remain active long enough to defend the belt. According to ‘The Batman,’ Gaethje has already achieved the pinnacle of the sport by defeating the world’s leading lightweight at the landmark UFC Freedom 250 event held at the White House. Consequently, Tsarukyan believes the veteran may choose retirement, suggesting there are two other primary names in the division who are more likely to serve as his opponent for the vacant title.
Tsarukyan emphasized that Gaethje has little left to prove after his historic performance, which could lead to an early exit from the sport. For now, the contender remains focused on securing his spot in the next major lightweight championship showdown.
