Arman Tsarukyan, a rising star in MMA, is making headlines once again after being overlooked for a shot at the UFC lightweight title. Instead of waiting idly, he has chosen to keep his competitive spirit alive by taking on matches outside of the UFC.
Earlier this year, Tsarukyan found himself in a difficult position when he had to withdraw from a highly anticipated title fight against Islam Makhachev. This incident seems to have affected his standing with UFC decision-makers, as evidenced by the recent announcement from Dana White that Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett will face off for the interim lightweight title at UFC 324, leaving Tsarukyan out of the picture despite his impressive track record.
Just last week, the top-ranked contender claimed a world title in a different arena, showcasing his skills by submitting Mehdi Baydulaev in a match for ACBJJ. This raises an important question: was it justified for Tsarukyan to feel slighted about not being included in the title fight conversation? After all, he is the No. 1 contender, made weight as a backup for UFC 317, and recently scored his fifth consecutive victory by submitting Dan Hooker.
Now, Tsarukyan is set to return to competition in just over a week. He will participate in a modified rules grappling bout against fellow UFC talent Shara Magomedov at Hype FC. But that’s not all; earlier this week, it was revealed that he will also be competing in a wrestling match at RAF 5 on January 10. There, he will face former PFL featherweight champion Lance Palmer at the Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Florida. The event will be headlined by another UFC fighter, Colby Covington, who is scheduled to go up against former UFC middleweight champ Luke Rockhold.
The resurgence of events like RAF is bringing excitement back to wrestling, especially after the recent RAF 04 event, where Yoel Romero delivered a stunning performance that captured the media's attention.
However, this leads to a key debate: is Tsarukyan making the right choice by competing outside the UFC? Just recently, Dana White emphasized that Tsarukyan still has significant hurdles to overcome before being considered for a title shot. Shouldn't Tsarukyan focus on securing fights within the UFC to solidify his claim for a title?
While he remains active and engaged in competition, there’s a growing sentiment that these external matches might not bring him any closer to the title shot that many fans believe he has rightfully earned. Meanwhile, he continues to vocalize his ambitions for future bouts against fighters like Ilia Topuria and Paddy Pimblett, hoping that these rivalries will eventually lead him back to title contention.
What do you think? Is Arman Tsarukyan on the right path by competing outside of the UFC, or should he be prioritizing fights within the organization to advance his career? Share your thoughts and join the conversation!
