Arman Tsarukyan reveals he turned down 'disrespectful' UFC Abu Dhabi headliner in July
Arman Tsarukyan was surprised with whom the UFC offered for his next fight.
Tsarukyan (23-3 MMA, 9-2 UFC), who defeated Makasharip Zaynukov in a 175-pound grappling match Friday at Karate Combat 54 in Dubai, revealed that the promotion tried to match him up with a lower-ranked opponent for the upcoming UFC on ABC 9 headliner July 26 in Abu Dhabi.
The 28-year-old withdrew from his title fight vs. lightweight champion Islam Makhachev at UFC 311 in January, and Dana White said he'll have to compete one more time before regaining his No. 1 contender spot. Tsarukyan was OK with that condition, but expected a top-ranked opponent.
"(The UFC) offered me a fight in Abu Dhabi in July, main event, but I turned it down because they offered me an opponent I didn't want to fight," Tsarukyan told Sport24 (h/t Red Corner MMA). "He is below me in the rankings, so I didn't see any reason to fight him. In MMA, I see no reason to fight just for money.
"I need to fight a top-five or top-six opponent at the very least to make sure my next fight will be for the title. I am the No. 1 contender. Why should I give such a gift to a guy who's ranked No. 10? Nobody did that for me when I made it to the top 10. I fought top nine, top eight, top seven, top five, top four before I became No. 1. I don't want to put my spot on the line for free."
While Tsarukyan didn't reveal who the fight offer was against, he admits he wasn't happy with the UFC's matchmaking.
"It's the UFC who made me angry when they offered me that kind of an opponent," Tsarukyan said. "I would say it was disrespectful to me from their side to offer me that. I deserve better. I am the No. 1 contender. I am not saying they should give me the title shot – just give me a contender fight. If they offered me a top-five opponent, OK – somebody on a winning streak, at least. The one they offered me is on a losing streak. They could have given me (Dan) Hooker. The guy has won a few fights in a row."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
‘Bones' Issues Statement About His Official Retirement
'Today, I'm officially announcing my retirement from the UFC,' Jones wrote. 'This decision comes after a lot of reflection, and I want to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude for the journey I've experienced over the years.' 'From the first time I stepped into the Octagon, my goal was to push the boundaries of what was possible in this sport. Becoming the youngest UFC champion in history, defending my title against some of the best fighters in the world, and sharing unforgettable moments with fans across the globe—these are memories I'll cherish forever.' 'I've faced incredible highs and some tough lows, but every challenge has taught me something valuable and made me stronger, both as a fighter and as a person. I want to thank the UFC, Dana, Hunter, Lorenzo, God, my family, coaches, teammates, and all the fans who have stood by me through every chapter. Your unwavering support and belief in me have been my foundation.' 'To my fellow fighters, thank you for bringing out the best in me and for the respect we've shared inside and outside the cage. As I close this chapter of my life, I look forward to new opportunities and challenges ahead. MMA will always be a part of who I am, and I'm excited to see how I can continue to contribute to the sport and inspire others in new ways. Thank you all for being part of this incredible journey with me. The best is yet to come.'
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
LIVE! Watch UFC Baku Post-Fight Presser Here
Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC With UFC Baku officially done after a fun afternoon (Sat., June 21, 2025) of fights LIVE on ABC/ESPN+ from inside Baku Crystal Hall in Baku, Azerbaijan, fight fans can now checkout the post-fight press conference video above for all the best reaction and official bonus winners. Advertisement On a night that featured a Light Heavyweight headliner between former division champion, Jamahal Hill, and 205-pound title challenger, Khalil Rountree (results here), as well as a co-main event clash between hometown hero, Rafael Fiziev, and Ignacio Bahamondes, there will be a lot to discuss now that the action has concluded. The post-fight presser is scheduled to go LIVE in the above video player around 7 p.m. ET. It will feature the biggest winners and losers from the card, as well as UFC CEO, Dana White. For more UFC Baku results, coverage and highlights click HERE. More from
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
UFC Baku live blog: Jamahal Hill vs. Khalil Rountree Jr.
This is the live blog for Jamahal Hill vs. Khalil Rountree Jr., the light heavyweight main event for Saturday's UFC Baku fight card at Baku Crystal Hall in the promotion's first visit to Azerbaijan. Hill looks to bounce back from consecutive knockout losses to Alex Pereira and—most recently at UFC 311 in January—Jiri Prochazka. The former light heavyweight champion seeks his first win in over two years, that being a title-winning decision victory against Glover Teixeira at UFC 283 in January 2023. 'Sweet Dreams' makes his 11th walk to the octagon. Advertisement Rountree competes for the first time in 2025. In his most recent outing, the 35-year-old was stopped by Pereira in his first championship bout at UFC 307 this past October in the fourth round. Prior to that, Rountree won five straight, including stoppage wins against Anthony Smith, Chris Daukaus, Karl Roberson, and Modestas Bukauskas. Check out the Hill vs. Rountree live blog below. More from
