Arman Tsarukyan says the UFC are concerned about his future with the promotion
Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images Arman Tsarukyan’s profile has only grown over the past year, and not just because of what he’s done inside the UFC cage. The lightweight title challenger ended up withdrawing from his fight with Islam Makhachev just a day before it was set to take place, and that put him on thin ice with the promotion. While his relationship with the UFC has remained strained ever since, Tsarukyan hasn’t struggled for relevance.
If anything, he’s found more attention outside the cage than in it lately. Arman Tsarukyan thinks the UFC are ‘worried he might leave’ Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC Since his last appearance in the Octagon, the Armenian has stayed active, competing six times across various disciplines, from wrestling to grappling. His next appearance is set for Real American Freestyle Wrestling, where he’ll face Urijah Faber at RAF08 on April 18th.
With his growing popularity and ability to earn as much money outside the UFC as he does inside it, Tsarukyan believes the promotion are ‘worried he might leave’ after winning a title. “They’re worried that I’m gonna get the title and then leave the UFC,” Tsarukyan said during an appearance on the Full Send Podcast. “But where am I gonna go if I become champion?
I want to be the best in the UFC and stay with that company because they built me and made me a star. ” The 29-year-old has expressed his desire to break records rather than chase double champion status. Tsarukyan added: “I want to be a champion and break records in the lightweight division and defend (the title) as much as possible.
Islam did four (title defences), I want to do five or six and then we’ll see. ” Topping Makhachev’s four successful defences would put Tsarukyan near Khabib Nurmagomedov’s reign over MMA’s toughest weight class. The Armenian still feels there’s time left on his side despite being almost 30 years old.