Arman Tsarukyan solidified his position as the top contender in the lightweight division with a split-decision victory over Charles Oliveira at UFC 300.
Despite this achievement, Tsarukyan made headlines when he turned down the opportunity to challenge Islam Makhachev for the title at UFC 302, which is scheduled for June 1, less than seven weeks away.
Arman Tsarukyan his decision to decline the fight.
Confirming the offer during an interview with Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour, Tsarukyan explained his decision to decline the fight.
He cited the short turnaround time, with only seven weeks to prepare, as the primary reason. Tsarukyan expressed the need for adequate rest and a full training camp, especially after facing a former champion in Oliveira. He emphasized that as the No.1 contender, he wanted to be fully prepared and avoid taking unnecessary risks.
Arman Tsarukyan confirms he turned down the fight against Islam Makhachev on June 1.
"I want to be ready and I want to have a full training camp. Why if I’m the No. 1 contender, why I gotta take the risk?”
▶️ https://t.co/KbKeylXRc3 #TheMMAHour pic.twitter.com/2zeIo6X0rg
— MMA Fighting (@MMAFighting) April 15, 2024
Tsarukyan’s manager, Sayat Abdrakhmanov, also confirmed the offer and echoed Tsarukyan’s sentiments. Abdrakhmanov emphasized that there was no point in accepting a title fight on short notice, considering Tsarukyan’s established position as the top-ranked contender.
Following UFC 300, Dana White announced that Makhachev would defend his lightweight title against Dustin Poirier at UFC 302. Abdrakhmanov indicated that there is now an understanding with the promotion that Tsarukyan will face the winner of the bout, positioning him for a title shot in the near future.
