Arman Tsarukyan Eyes Title Shot Against Justin Gaethje Following UFC Upset

Arman Tsarukyan is confident that he won't be overlooked for another title shot in the lightweight division. The fighter, who boasts a record of 23 wins and 3 losses (10-2 in the UFC), believes he is the clear choice to challenge Justin Gaethje after the latter’s recent victory.

Tsarukyan, often recognized as the top contender in the UFC lightweight rankings, feels it's his time to step into the octagon for the championship. "It has to be me. Who else?" he declared during an appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show. He expressed skepticism about the possibility of other fighters like Charles Oliveira or Conor McGregor being prioritized over him, especially after McGregor's upcoming bout against Max Holloway. "I want to beat Justin Gaethje. I want to beat everybody," he stated, emphasizing his ambition to claim the title.

Last Sunday, Gaethje (28-5 MMA, 11-5 UFC) surprised many by defeating Ilia Topuria to secure the lightweight championship. Tsarukyan, however, experienced an unusual situation while awaiting the fight results as he was traveling on a British Airlines flight that lacked Wi-Fi. "I couldn't watch the fight," he explained. "I was sitting and saying, 'No way. How can I miss this fight?'" After landing, he learned of Gaethje’s victory from a friend's internet connection, initially thinking it was a joke.

While Tsarukyan commended Gaethje for his performance and strategic approach, he also noted that Topuria may have underestimated his opponent. "He felt so confident like, 'I'm going in there to knock him out,'" Tsarukyan observed. He pointed out that Topuria failed to utilize his jab effectively, focusing instead on landing a knockout punch. "Justin’s jab was so good," he remarked, highlighting Gaethje's resilience and skill in the bout.