Arman Tsarukyan destroyed Beneil Dariush at UFC Austin to break into the top 5 of the UFC lightweight rankings. Dariush, a mainstay in the rankings for some time, was unable to deal with the power of a fast-rising Armenian contender.
With the victory, Dariush has now won three in a row after a controversial loss to Mateusz Gamrot in the main event of UFC Vegas 57. Tsarukyan is the fighter who gave Islam Makhachev the toughest fight of his career before Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 284.
Arman Tsarukyan wants title shot before Charles Oliveira
Charles Oliveira is presumed to face Islam Makhachev in the summer of 2024, according to UFC CEO Dana White. However, Arman Tsarukyan has put a wrench in those plans with a devastating KO over Beneil Dariush at UFC Austin in just 64 seconds. It was Dariush’s second straight first-round loss after Oliveira TKOed him at UFC 289.
During the octagon interview with Daniel Cormier, Tsarukyan called out Islam Makhachev after being asked about it by Cormier, who happens to be a close friend of Makhachev. Moreover, Tsarukyan even said that he deserves the next title shot over Oliveira, who also has a first-round finish over Dariush.
"I knock him out faster than Charles. He didn't take me down like he did Charles. I perform better than Charles. Charles already had an opportunity, so it's my time now."
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) December 4, 2023
Arman Tsarukyan argues for a title shot BEFORE Charles Oliveira. pic.twitter.com/szNwvDmzKI
“I knock him out faster than Charles, and, like, he didn’t take me down like he did with Charles. I perform better than Charles, and Charles already had that opportunity, so it’s my time right now,” said Tsarukyan at the post-fight press conference. The Armenian clarified that he planned to defeat Dariush better than Oliveira to overtake him for the title shot.
When asked about how he would win if he fought champion Islam Makhachev, Tsarukyan said, “I’m gonna knock him out in the first round.” He had earlier said that he would knock out Makhachev in the rematch in his octagon interview. However, he clarified that it would be in the first round.
Arman Tsarukyan snubs Justin Gaethje’s title shot demands
Justin Gaethje last fought at UFC 291 when he knocked out Dustin Poirier to claim the vacant BMF title. The victory put him next in line for a title shot against Islam Makhachev after Makhachev vs Oliveira at UFC 294. However, Oliveira withdrew due to injury and was replaced by the featherweight champion, Alexander Volkanovski.
In addition to Charles, Justin Gaethje is next in line to fight for the title. However, Arman has leapfrogged the two with his performance at UFC Austin and has even swayed Dana White’s interest away from the Oliveira vs Makhachev rematch. Tsarukyan was asked about Gaethje’s claim for the title.
“Justin Gaethje already has a title, the BMF title, so he got to enjoy it with his title. That’s it,” said Tsarukyan mocking the symbolic title that the Colorado native has. When Oliveira withdrew from UFC 294, rumors circulated that Gaethje might get the next shot at the title but Dana White was not in for the idea.
‘The Highlight’ is on a two-fight win streak after losing the title fight against “Do Bronx” at UFC 274. Before defeating Poirier at UFC 291, he won against surging lightweight Rafael Fiziev at UFC 286 in a bout that many believed would signal the end of Gaethje as a top contender.
Do you think Arman Tsarukyan deserves the title shot over Charles Oliveira and Justin Gaethje? Leave your comments below!
