Charles Oliveira unsure UFC 317 backup Arman Tsarukyan gets title fight winner
Charles Oliveira is content with Arman Tsarukyan being positioned as the title fight alternate at UFC 317, but doesn't know if that means he will face the winner of his clash with Ilia Topuria.
Oliveira (35-10 MMA, 23-10 UFC) will meet Topuria (16-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) for the vacant lightweight championship in the main event of the June 28 card at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas (ESPN+ pay-per-view, ESPN, ESPN+), and as insurance for the matchup, Tsarukyan (22-3 MMA, 9-2 UFC) will weigh in as the official backup.
Although the ideal scenario would be for the fight with Topuria to go forward as planned, if something chaotic happens before stepping into the octagon and Tsarukyan's services are needed, then Oliveira said he would proceed with UFC's secondary plan.
"I didn't know he was the backup, but if that's what the UFC decides, then that's what we're going to do," Oliveira told MMA Junkie through an interpreter. "He's also a great guy and a great opponent. So, we'll see."
Oliveira suffered a split decision loss to Tsarukyan at UFC 300 in April 2024. The victory sent Tsarukyan into a title shot against then-champ Islam Makhachev at UFC 311 in January, but he withdrew on weigh-in day due to a back injury and has been trying to restore his image with the UFC brass ever since.
Whether Tsarukyan doing the job as UFC 317 backup fighter puts him in better standing with executives remains to be seen, but there will be multiple fighters clamoring for the winner of Oliveira vs. Topuria.
Tsarukyan is among them, but there is also Justin Gaethje, who has made his desire very clear to challenge for the belt next, and BMF champ Max Holloway has also staked his claim if he beats Dustin Poirier at UFC 318 on July 19 in New Orleans.
Oliveira said he can't pinpoint who is going to be the first challenger to the new champion crowned at UFC 317, but he admits there's multiple viable candidates.
"The reality is that everyone is right there," Oliveira said. "Everyone is in that position, so everyone wants an opportunity. It's hard for me to say who it is that deserves it or not."
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