Arman Tsarukyan Considers Dropping Down to Featherweight Amid UFC Lightweight Title Shot Snub
Arman Tsarukyan wants to move down and fight for the UFC featherweight championship if Dana White and Hunter Campbell do not grant him a title fight against Justin Gaethje or Ilia Topuria next.
Tsarukyan has been pleading for a title shot for the last few months, but so far has been denied one. He most recently apologized to the UFC brass for his past antics and unreliability and asked them to offer him a title fight soon.
However, Gaethje, the newly crowned 155-pound interim champion at UFC 324, is next in line to lock horns with Topuria to unify the belts.
Hence, ‘Ahalkalakets,’ the top contender, has teased a move down to featherweight. On The Ariel Helwani Show, he revealed that he has talked to his coach and nutrition team, and they have confirmed that if the 29-year-old is given ample time to transition down to featherweight, his body can make 145 pounds. He told Ariel Helwani:
“If I am not getting Gaethje, I am not getting anybody, and I am going to try and get the title at 145 [pounds]. I talked to Coach Cal. We did the math and everything. My body can go to 145 [pounds]… If the fight is in June and if we are going to know in 2-3 weeks that we are fighting [at featherweight], we can make it happen.”
Check out Arman Tsarukyan’s comments below:
Arman Tsarukyan currently weighs 177 pounds. If he starts a clean diet and does more cardio, he can cut down to 160-pound-ish, and from there, he can make his featherweight transition, as he stated in the same interview.
The UFC featherweight division is currently ruled by Alexander Volkanovski, who will make the first title defense of his second reign this weekend at UFC 325 opposite Diego Lopes in a rematch. After that, Movsar Evloev and Lerone Murphy are lined up to get title shots. Hence, ‘Ahalkalakets’ wanting to fight for the 145-pound strap also seems like a pipe dream in the current landscape.
Arman Tsarukyan thinks a fight with Alexander Volkanovski is easy money
Arman Tsarukyan also discussed how he sees a potential bout with Alexander Volkanovski playing out. Although the Armenian respects ‘The Great’ and the latter’s accomplishments, ‘Ahalkalakets,’ believes the Australian is past his prime and therefore an easy fight for Tsarukyan. The 29-year-old told Ariel Helwani that he can end a fight with Volkanovski by landing one of his wild axe kicks.
“[Me vs. Volk] One axe kick. That’s it. Dot com.”
Check out Arman Tsarukyan’s comments below (23:00):
