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Arman Tsarukyan is convinced that he should be the next man to challenge newly crowned UFC lightweight champion Justin Gaethje, who stunned the MMA world by defeating Ilia Topuria in the main event of UFC Freedom 250 at the White House.
Speaking with Ariel Helwani, the No. 2-ranked lightweight said he sees no more deserving contender for the title than himself.
“It has to be me. Who else is there?” Tsarukyan said. “What are they going to do? Match Charles Oliveira against Justin Gaethje again? Or give Conor McGregor a title shot if he wins his next fight? I don’t even think he beats Max Holloway.”
Although Topuria lost his belt, Tsarukyan remains eager to face the former champion and believes the Spanish-Georgian star will eventually work his way back to the top of the division.
“It should be me. I want to beat Justin Gaethje. I want to beat everybody. And when Ilia is ready, I want to be the champion. Then I’ll do to him what Justin did—maybe even worse.”
Tsarukyan also revealed an amusing detail about Gaethje’s title-winning performance. He was unable to watch the fight live because he was on an eight-hour flight without internet access.
“When I landed, one of my friends told me that Gaethje had beaten Topuria. I didn’t believe him. I thought he was joking.”
The Armenian also drew attention with a promise he had made before the fight: if Gaethje became champion, he would buy him a new vehicle. Following his victory at UFC Freedom 250, Gaethje wasted no time reminding Tsarukyan about the wager.
“I need a new truck,” Gaethje joked. “I bought my last one in 2020 after I beat Tony Ferguson. It’s got over 100,000 miles on it now, so go ahead and send me a new one.”
According to Tsarukyan, the promise will soon be fulfilled.
“Of course. I asked him what color he wants,” Tsarukyan said. “I’m competing in St. Louis on July 18, and after that I’ll deliver the truck to him.”
He added with a smile that he hopes to receive a discount from the manufacturer, given that the brand is one of the UFC’s sponsors.
“Maybe they’ll give me a 10 or 15 percent discount. If not, it’s okay—it’s not that expensive.”
While preparing a gift for the new champion, Tsarukyan continues to wait for the call that he believes should send him into a title fight against Gaethje. Given his position in the rankings and his recent run of strong performances, few would argue that he remains one of the leading candidates for the next lightweight championship opportunity.
