Arman Tsarukyan has put past controversies behind him and reclaimed his spot at the front of the lightweight contender line. All he needs to secure a championship bout against Justin Gaethje is a victory over Mauricio Ruffy at UFC 331 on September 19 in Los Angeles.
During an interview with Ariel Helwani, Tsarukyan revealed that UFC Chief Business Officer Hunter Campbell gave him a personal, face-to-face promise for the next title opportunity. While waiting on the sidelines was an option, Tsarukyan chose to remain active, earn a fight purse, and build momentum on a high-profile card co-featuring the flyweight title rematch between Joshua Van and Alexandre Pantoja.
This agreement marks a major turnaround for Tsarukyan following a turbulent stretch that included a failed weight cut ahead of UFC 311, a pre-fight altercation with Dan Hooker, and a prolonged absence after turning down a fight with Mateusz Gamrot.
“I flew there, I talked to him,” Tsarukyan said. “It’s different when your manager is telling you something that they told him. But when you sit with somebody and shake their hand, it’s going to be like that.”
