Arman Tsarukyan has a date in mind, give or take a few weeks. Speaking with MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck, the lightweight contender said he’s been told his next fight will be for the 155-pound title, and he pointed to early 2027 for his return. When Heck asked when, Tsarukyan answered, “Beginning of the next year.” Heck pushed for March or April. Tsarukyan’s reply was one word: “Almost.”
He didn’t say who told him or when that conversation happened. He did make clear he’s done thinking about other divisions. Tsarukyan said that if the UFC hadn’t given him a title shot at 155, he would have dropped to 145 pounds, but from what he’s heard, he’s fighting for the belt next. He added that he wants to stay at lightweight, calling it the perfect weight class for him, and said his goal is to become the best lightweight ever and break every record in the division.
The confidence has a recent source. On September 20 at UFC 331 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, Tsarukyan finished Mauricio Ruffy with elbows at 4:56 of Round 1. Afterward, Dana White said at the post-fight press conference that Tsarukyan couldn’t be in a better position. White stopped short of promising anything.
The champion’s clock
The calendar on the other side lines up. Justin Gaethje holds the lightweight belt and is still recovering from injuries he picked up in his fight with Ilia Topuria at UFC White House. His manager, Ali Abdelaziz, told MMA Junkie in August that the recovery had pushed Gaethje’s comeback to early 2027. Gaethje himself said on Andrew Schulz’s podcast that Tsarukyan is the only fighter who has earned a shot at his title. Tsarukyan had already called Gaethje out before this interview, though this is the first time he has attached a rough date to it.
There’s still a complication wearing a BMF belt. Charles Oliveira defends that title against Diego Lopes at UFC 335 on December 12 at T-Mobile Arena, and he has been campaigning hard. Oliveira argued that he’s far more reliable than Tsarukyan and sells fights better, and he noted a win over Lopes would put him on a three-fight streak.
Joe Rogan, talking on his podcast with Robert Whittaker, called Tsarukyan vs. Gaethje the biggest and most compelling fight available. “I think Arman’s the fight, the big fight is Arman, especially after what Arman did to Ruffy,” Rogan said. He also said he could see Gaethje taking a rematch with Oliveira for both the BMF and lightweight belts if Oliveira gets past Lopes.
My take: Oliveira’s reliability jab lands because everybody in this sport remembers when Tsarukyan’s title chances have slipped away before. It just doesn’t outweigh what happened in Los Angeles. Tsarukyan put Ruffy away four seconds before the horn, the champion says he’s the guy, and the promoter says his spot couldn’t be better. If Oliveira beats Lopes on December 12, he’ll make noise. Tsarukyan should still be the one walking out against Gaethje in the spring.
