Arman Tsarukyan finds himself in a familiar position once again. After spending nearly two years in the UFC’s doghouse following his withdrawal from UFC 311 against Islam Makhachev, the Armenian seemed destined to get the next shot at the lightweight title.
Since that infamous pullout, Tsarukyan has done more than enough to make his case. He has scored two finishes, including a win over Dan Hooker at UFC Qatar and a first-round demolition of Mauricio Ruffy at UFC 331.
However, Alexander Volkanovski’s title defense against Movsar Evloev at UFC 333 and his push for a third shot at lightweight gold in a potential retirement fight against Justin Gaethje have complicated things. Amid all this, Tsarukyan has shared a major update on Gaethje’s future and revealed that he is open to welcoming the Australian back to lightweight for a fight.
Arman Tsarukyan Explains Why Alexander Volkanovski Would Be the Perfect Matchup for Him
Speaking to Helen Yee ahead of RAF 14, Tsarukyan said, “Someone is trying to duck me; it’s Justin Gaethje. Now he’s talking about retirement. Either UFC is going to pay him so much money that he’s going to fight, or he’s just going to retire.”
Tsarukyan also revealed that the UFC plans to clarify Gaethje’s future by the end of November. Meanwhile, he has no problem taking on Volkanovski if the opportunity arises.
Arman Tsarukyan accuses Justin Gaethje of ducking him and says the UFC must offer enough money to make the fight happen – or Gaethje could retire.
“Someone is trying to duck me. Justin Gaethje. Now he’s talking about retirement. Either UFC is going to pay him so much money that he’s going to fight, or he’s just going to retire. They told me they’re going to let me know at the end of November.”
via @HelenYeeSports
— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) October 26, 2026
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He said, “They told me they’re going to let me know at the end of November. I would fight [Volkanovski]. I think it’s a good fight for me stylistically. He’s old, bad chin. He’s a tough opponent, but he’s a little bit old now, and with me, it’s a perfect fight.”
Dana White has admitted that it would be difficult to turn down Volkanovski’s request, although the UFC CEO has yet to confirm whether the Australian will get his wish. If Gaethje decides to retire instead, Tsarukyan is ready to step in and face Volkanovski.
The Australian has also recently discussed a potential rematch with Ilia Topuria if Gaethje hangs up his gloves. Tsarukyan, however, has previously expressed his willingness to drop to 145 pounds to fight for featherweight gold, giving the UFC another option to consider.
Arman Tsarukyan welcomes a potential lightweight title fight with Alexander Volkanovski, calling him a tough opponent but questioning his age and chin.
“Yeah, why not? Yeah, I would fight him. He’s old, bad chin. He’s a tough opponent, but he’s a little bit old now. For me, it’s a perfect fight.”
via @HelenYeeSports
— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) October 26, 2026
If Gaethje and Volkanovski end up out of the lightweight title picture, Tsarukyan could find himself in the mix for a vacant title fight. Topuria, Paddy Pimblett, and Charles Oliveira are among the other names who could enter the conversation.
After months of waiting for another opportunity to fight for the 155-pound title, Tsarukyan could finally be approaching a breakthrough. Whether the UFC gives him the long-awaited title shot or another high-profile matchup remains to be seen.
Kshitiz Kumar Singh is a UFC Writer at NY Fights with over three years of experience in sports journalism and content creation. Known for his sharp storytelling and passion for combat sports, he has written in-depth features on stars like Brock Lesnar, Randy Couture, and Ilia Topuria. Before joining NY Fights, Kshitiz worked as a UFC Editor at EssentiallySports while currently serving as a WWE Editor at FirstSportz. His admiration for legends like Georges St-Pierre continues to inspire his detailed and engaging MMA coverage. Whether he’s covering the Octagon or the squared circle, Kshitiz is committed to delivering accurate, high-quality content. Outside the world of sports, he’s a dedicated cinephile, often found practicing monologues from his favorite Al Pacino films, combining his love for cinema with storytelling.
