Breaking News: Arman Tsarukyan, despite his impressive track record, has been surprisingly sidelined from a UFC title fight. Why?
On December 11, 2025, Dana White, the UFC's top dog, shed some light on the situation. He addressed the elephant in the room: why Arman Tsarukyan, a highly-ranked contender, was overlooked for the interim title bout. Instead, the UFC chose to pit Justin Gaethje against Paddy Pimblett for the UFC 324 headliner on January 24th.
So, what gives? Tsarukyan, with a record of 23-3 MMA, 10-2 UFC, was seemingly next in line. But, according to White, there's more to the story than meets the eye.
White clarified that there's no personal vendetta against Tsarukyan. He emphasized that the fighter is still in the picture. The main reason for the snub seems to stem from Tsarukyan's withdrawal from a previous title fight against Islam Makhachev last January.
White stated that Tsarukyan is still in the game and they didn't 'cut him or go sideways with him'.
But here's where it gets controversial... Despite this setback, Tsarukyan has been staying active. He even stepped in as a backup for a vacant title fight at UFC 317 and secured a first-round submission victory against Dan Hooker at UFC Fight Night 265 last month. However, this didn't seem to sway the decision-makers.
White hinted that there are undisclosed factors at play, suggesting a level of 'man sh*t' that's kept behind closed doors.
"A lot of man sht happens in this fcking business, and we keep it between us men. It is what it is. Arman knows."
And this is the part most people miss... White's comments imply a complex situation, one where internal dynamics and unspoken agreements may have influenced the decision.
What do you think? Do you believe there's more to the story? Is the UFC making the right call, or should Tsarukyan have been given a title shot? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
