Arman Tsarukyan`s relationship with the UFC appears tense at the moment.
Just four months prior, in January, Tsarukyan was slated to headline UFC 311 against lightweight champion Islam Makhachev, who is also ranked No. 1 pound-for-pound. However, tragedy struck when a back injury forced Tsarukyan out of the bout the day before the event. According to UFC CEO Dana White, this setback cost Tsarukyan his position as the top contender.
Tsarukyan, who recently secured a victory at Karate Combat 54, is still awaiting his next fight announcement from the UFC. He revealed in an interview with Sport24 that the promotion`s matchmakers actually proposed a bout against Mateusz Gamrot. However, Tsarukyan declined this offer because Gamrot is currently ranked lower, holding the No. 7 position in the official UFC rankings.
“Gamrot? What’s the purpose?” Tsarukyan questioned through a translation by Championship Rounds. “If someone benefits from this, they need it more than I do. Why should he be given such an opportunity?”
While accepting the fight would have offered Tsarukyan a chance to avenge his June 2022 loss to Gamrot—a thrilling “Fight of the Night” decision loss that remains Tsarukyan`s only UFC defeat other than his debut against Makhachev—he felt the risk wasn`t justified, even for a potential main event slot this summer.
“They offered me a main event fight in Abu Dhabi in July, but I turned it down because they suggested an opponent I wasn`t interested in fighting,” Tsarukyan explained. “He is ranked below me, and I saw no reason to fight him just for the money. There`s no strategic point for me to compete against him in MMA. To secure a future title shot, I need to defeat fighters ranked at least within the top 5 or 6. Simply taking any fight isn`t productive.”
He added, “I am ranked No. 1; why would I hand a fight opportunity to someone at No. 10 [Note: Gamrot is ranked #7]. Nobody offered me such advantages when I was ranked in the top 10. I earned my way by fighting competitors ranked 9th, 8th, 7th, 5th, and 4th before reaching the top position. I won`t just forfeit my ranking casually.”
When asked if he was concerned that refusing the Gamrot fight might upset UFC officials, Tsarukyan redirected the question, stating that he felt *he* was the one who was wronged by the proposed matchup.
“No,” he responded firmly. “The UFC has angered me that they offered me such an opponent.”
He further stated, “From my viewpoint, this is disrespectful. I deserve better treatment. I hold the No. 1 ranking. I`m not necessarily demanding an immediate title shot, but I expect a fight that serves as a clear No. 1 contender eliminator.”
Wesley Dunham 
Marcus Blakely