What Does the Future Hold for Arman Tsarukyan: UFC 317’s Backup Fighter?
During his post-fight press conference at UFC Baku, Dana White confirmed that Arman Tsarukyan will serve as the backup fighter for the UFC 317 main event between Charles Oliveira and Ilia Topuria. This is a significant opportunity for Tsarukyan, as his recent actions had seemingly pushed him out of Dana White’s favor. Earlier this year, Tsarukyan was scheduled to challenge Islam Makhachev for the undisputed Lightweight title, but he withdrew less than two days before the bout due to a reported back injury. Frustrated, Dana made it clear that Arman would need to rebuild his standing in the division before earning another title shot. Now, it appears that the rebuild might be closer than expected.
If Tsarukyan successfully makes weight for UFC 317, it could go a long way toward repairing his relationship with Dana White. The Lightweight Division is currently without a clear top contender following this title fight. Justin Gaethje has only one win in the past year, Max Holloway and Dustin Poirier are already booked against each other, and Paddy Pimblett has just a single ranked victory on his résumé. With no obvious next challenger in line, Tsarukyan could find himself positioned for a title shot sooner than anticipated if he handles this opportunity well. Tsarukyan has quietly built a résumé worthy of consideration, with impressive wins over top fighters like Charles Oliveira and Beneil Dariush. His game is well-rounded, featuring strong wrestling, striking, and finishing ability, making him a threat to anyone in the division.
His return to the title conversation also provides some much-needed clarity for a Lightweight Division that’s seen its fair share of uncertainty in recent years. Several title fights have featured contenders that the majority of media and fans felt hadn’t fully earned their shots, and in most of those cases, the champion retained their belt. Tsarukyan’s presence as a legitimate, well-rounded contender could stabilize the title picture after UFC 317. If he capitalizes on this moment, Tsarukyan could not only earn his way back into Dana White’s good graces but potentially secure the next Lightweight title shot. His future in the division might be brighter than many expected just a few months ago.
