“We haven’t cut him” - Dana White addresses Arman Tsarukyan’s title-shot situation and hints at behind-the-scenes factors

UFC 311: Makhachev vs Tsarukyan 2 - Press Conference - Source: Getty
Dana White at the UFC 311 press conference [Image courtesy: Getty]

Dana White shed more light on Arman Tsarukyan’s current situation in the UFC and the lack of a title shot.

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The Armenian was expected to face Ilia Topuria after a dominant win over Dan Hooker at UFC Qatar. However, the UFC confirmed an interim lightweight title fight between Paddy Pimblett and Justin Gaethje for UFC 324.

This leaves Tsarukyan out since the winner of that fight should face Topuria whenever the champion returns. White was asked about Tsarukyan’s situation on The Mac Life and provided a candid response to it all:

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“He’s here. You know what I didn't do? We haven't cut him, we're not sideways with him, we don't dislike him.”

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Tsarukyan was to face then-lightweight champion Islam Makhachev at UFC 311 for the belt. However, he pulled out of the fight citing injury just one day before the event. White alluded to that being one reason why the Armenian was not getting a fight, but hinted at other factors too:

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“It is what it is. It’s not like I have confronted Arman… Arman’s a man. He knows how it played out. He knows how it went down behind the scenes. He knows. We all f****** know. I don’t ever talk about this s*** publicly because you guys are like a bunch of f****** old ladies… a lot of man s*** happens in this f****** business and we keep it between us men and it is how it is.”
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Check out Dana White’s comments on Arman Tsarukyan below:

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Arman Tsarukyan looking at another UFC belt after recent snub

Arman Tsarukyan is the No.1-ranked lightweight in the UFC but has other titles on his mind if he can’t get the gold.

The Armenian recently spoke on ESPN and wanted a shot at Max Holloway’s BMF title:

"It's a business. At the end of the day, I have the same goal. Everybody knows that I will beat everybody, and it's just [a matter of] time. I hope they give me the BMF title at least. What are they going to give me? Who do we have in our division to fight if it's not Holloway?"

However, that fight is unlikely to happen now since Holloway will defend his title against Charles Oliveira at UFC 326.

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Edited by Saiyed Adeem Karim
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