Arman Tsarukyan Pursues BMF Belt After UFC Title Snub

UFC light-weight contender Arman Tsarukyan is looking for a BMF bout in opposition to Max Holloway, within the wake of the UFC’s determination to skip over him in an interim light-weight title struggle subsequent month.

Tsarukyan (23-3) is the No. 1-ranked contender at 155 kilos, however the UFC opted to ebook an interim title bout between Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett — who’re ranked Nos. 4 and 5, respectively — as the primary occasion of UFC 324 on Jan. 24 in Las Vegas. The UFC created an interim belt after undisputed champion Ilia Topuria introduced he was taking day off to take care of private points.

Tsarukyan instructed ESPN it was “onerous” to just accept the information, however mentioned he cannot sit and look forward to the state of affairs to vary.

“It is a enterprise,” Tsarukyan mentioned. “On the finish of the day, I’ve the identical objective. All people is aware of that I’ll beat all people and it is simply [a matter of] time. I hope they provide me the BMF title at the very least. What are they going to provide me? Who do now we have in our division to struggle if it isn’t Holloway?”

Holloway (27-8) is coming off a five-round determination win in opposition to Dustin Poirier in July. He has expressed curiosity in a bout in opposition to former champion Charles Oliveira.

Tsarukyan, of Armenia, mentioned he believes the UFC is doing no matter it may to advertise and fast-track Pimblett (23-3), and that he hopes Gaethje (26-5) places an finish to it in January. He mentioned he would even provide to assist Gaethje practice for the matchup.

“Justin, for those who want the assistance, let me know and I am going to fly to you,” Tsarukyan mentioned. “I would like him to [beat] that bulls— man. I hate him. He is such a b—-. I do not wish to be [at UFC 324] as a result of I’ll struggle with any individual. If I see Patty, I want to slap him.”

The winner of subsequent month’s interim title struggle is anticipated to face Topuria later in 2026, in keeping with UFC CEO Dana White, which implies Tsarukyan may very well be as a lot as a 12 months earlier than his subsequent alternative opens for the belt. Regardless of that, the 29-year-old says he is very assured he’ll ultimately win the belt, and face Topuria if he would not retire first.

“That [Topuria] struggle goes to occur for certain,” Tsarukyan mentioned. “All people is saying, ‘Arman, Arman, Arman.’ All people is aware of it is bulls—. The following champion is right here.”