Arman Tsarukyan Eyes UFC 324 Backup Role
Arman Tsarukyan will be present in Las Vegas during the UFC 324 fight week. Tsarukyan recently stated that he wishes to be the official backup for the UFC 324 headliner, in which Paddy Pimblett and Justin Gaethje will lock horns for the interim lightweight strap.
‘Ahalkalakets’ received his title opportunity earlier this year at UFC 311 when Islam Makhachev was the 155-pound champion. However, Tsarukyan withdrew from the bout at the eleventh hour because of a back injury he sustained while cutting weight.
After that, to get back in the good graces of the UFC, Tsarukyan made weight for the UFC 317 headliner, serving as the official backup. Recently, he fought Dan Hooker and won by round 2 submission. After this win, he called for a title shot, but was denied. After pulling out of 311, the promotion believes ‘Ahalkalakets’ has more work to do before getting a second title shot, despite being the number one contender.
Now, the Armenian fighter has stated that he wants to be the official backup for the Gaethje vs. Pimblett bout and is staying ready in every way. At the ACBJJ 20 presser, he said:
“Even if it’s 10 days before or 5 days, I’ll be accepting the fight. I’ll have my weight checked and be in shape. I’ll train, spar, and’ll try not to get injured when I’m sparring. But I will push myself. I will celebrate New Year’s in Armenia, then I’ll go to Las Vegas for the Pimblett vs Gaethje fight. It’s not easy, our weight is not easy, but I’ll be ready.”
Check out Arman Tsarukyan’s comments below:
Arman Tsarukyan shows current weight
Recently, Arman Tsarukyan stepped on the scale and showed fans that he currently weighs 173.5 pounds. This means that to serve as the UFC 324 headliner backup fighter, he will have to cut 18.5 pounds in the coming weeks.
Check out Arman Tsarukyan stepping on the scale and revealing his current weight below:
In the meantime, to stay busy, Tsarukyan will feature in grappling in a match against Mehdi Baydulaev at the Absolute Championship of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu event on December 17.
Next, on December 30, Tsarukyan will grapple UFC’s Sharaputdin Magomedov under the Hype FC banner.
