Fresh off one other dominant displaying outdoors the UFC’s Octagon, Arman Tsarukyan isn’t losing any time mapping out what comes next.
Competing this previous Saturday at RAF 7, the highest UFC light-weight contender delivered an impressive and controlled performance in his much-anticipated wrestling rematch with Giorgio Poullas. Tsarukyan received the match by a 9-3 determination after their first encounter in February ended in a chaotic, controversial brawl.
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Speaking Monday on “The Ariel Helwani Show,” Tsarukyan mentioned Saturday’s rematch didn’t fairly unfold the way in which he anticipated however bolstered the hole between himself and the opposition.
“It was so clean,” Tsarukyan informed Uncrowned. “He didn’t even punch me once, and I thought it was going to be kind of the same, a little bit cleaner, but he [was going to] play same dirty game, but he was just wrestling like he’s supposed to wrestle. And I was surprised that, even when he was losing, he didn’t want to cancel [the match by getting disqualified].
“I can battle wherever, anytime. I’m a fighter. It’s a factor that I’m residing for, you realize? I get up, I’m going to the gymnasium, I battle — and this common man, he wrestles and go to the seaside and do his influencer factor. But I battle each single day, it is my factor. And [if] someone desires to come back and punch me within the wrestling, after all I’m going to punch him again. But if you wish to see me in rematch, maintain it clear. Let’s do the wrestling and present everyone who’s the most effective wrestler, not simply the most effective fighter.”
RAF 7 marked one more instance of Tsarukyan, 29, staying energetic as alternatives current themselves, however his focus stays firmly on UFC, the place a light-weight title shot continues to really feel inside attain.
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Following conversations with UFC brass, Tsarukyan revealed a really particular short-term plan: Be prepared for something, together with the opportunity of stepping in at (*7*) towards both man within the headlining title battle, 155-pound champion Ilia Topuria or interim champion Justin Gaethje.
“I’m going to coach to be in form if one thing occurs in principal occasion in White House, I’ll be [the] backup [fighter],” Tsarukyan said. “So I’ll [be ready to] battle there. And then they will announce my next battle after Ilia vs. Gaethje.”
Positioning himself as a potential backup for a high-profile card — while eyeing the fallout from Topuria vs. Gaethje — underscores where Tsarukyan sees himself in the division’s hierarchy. He’s the No. 1-ranked contender, awaiting his opportunity after his withdrawal from a title bout against the then-champion, Islam Makhachev, in January 2025.
Ultimately, Tsarukyan teased that UFC informed him he has options, despite his obvious direction.
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“There is a pair various things that may occur,” he said. “I can not inform, however needs to be good.”
In the meantime, Tsarukyan isn’t against staying busy elsewhere. One chance already being explored is a fast turnaround grappling match towards Dillon Danis, probably as quickly as next week beneath the Hype banner. Tsarukyan competed for Hype earlier this month in Brazil, choking out former UFC flyweight Muhammad Mokaev in a headlining grappling match.
“It’s not confirmed but. We’re going forwards and backwards, negotiating,” Tsarukyan said of the Danis matchup. “For me, it does not matter. I can get up and go to wrestle Dillon Danis. He’s simple cash for me. He’s going to get drained in three minutes.”
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Whether that matchup materializes remains unknown, especially with competing interest from RAF, which has quickly become a recurring platform for Tsarukyan to showcase his wrestling credentials.
So far, Tsarukyan has gone undefeated in his relentless bid for side quests outside the UFC. He mentioned fellow RAF 7 winner Colby Covington as a potential next match for him in the upstart wrestling promotion.
“They do [such a] good present,” Tsarukyan said of RAF. “The fireworks, this, that, music, and so they do an excellent job and selling, bringing in stars. There is legit wrestlers. Imagine Olympic champion wrestling with Olympic champion. It’s like the most effective playing cards ever.
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“[At RAF 7, there] was like six, seven, maybe eight medalists from Olympic Games. Then main event and co-main event are MMA fighters. But we can bring a lot of eyes. It’s good to promote this sport. And some of the wrestlers [are questioning] why Olympic champions are wrestling in the main card, not main event. They’ve got to understand we do this for them, too. Because of our names, it’s going to be bigger as well.”
Between potential grappling matches, continued appearances with RAF and a looming return to the UFC’s light-weight title image, Tsarukyan is protecting each door open.
