Fresh off a massive night at UFC 331, where he defeated Mauricio Ruffy by a vicious first-round knockout, Arman Tsarukyan immediately called out Justin Gaethje. “The Highlight” won the lightweight title by upsetting Ilia Topuria at UFC Freedom 250, a historic card held on the South Lawn of the White House.
Months have passed since that upset, but the new champion has not booked his first title defense. Right now, he is recovering from injuries that he suffered in the title bout, serving a maximum 180-day medical suspension. His absence has left the lightweight division in limbo.
However, after months of waiting, the No. 2 ranked Armenian challenger finally has a clear timeline for his title shot.
Arman Tsarukyan Says UFC Told Him Title Fight Comes Next
The environment is finally shifting in favor of the Armenian contender after nearly two years of waiting. Tsarukyan recently told MMA Fighting that the UFC has informed him his next appearance will be for the lightweight title, targeting a return in the first quarter of 2027.
“As I heard, I’m gonna fight for the title next. Beginning of next year, almost [first quarter],” Tsarukyan said.
🚨 Arman Tsarukyan reveals he’s been told he will be fighting for the title next, and predicts it will be in early 2027 đź‘€
“As I heard, I’m gonna fight for the title next. Beginning of next year, almost [first quarter].” https://t.co/NRG4XKYHwO
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) October 22, 2026
This breakthrough comes after a long, complicated road with UFC management. UFC CEO Dana White previously criticized the challenger’s outside-the-cage antics and altercations, which badly damaged Tsarukyan’s image within the promotion.Â
Past incidents, including a physical altercation with a fan at UFC 300 and a medical withdrawal from a title opportunity at UFC 311 due to a hernia, consistently stalled his championship aspirations.
While the promotion has yet to announce an official date, the targeted window aligns with the champion’s current timeline. Gaethje is currently recovering from injuries suffered in his title victory, serving a maximum 180-day medical suspension.Â
Though Tsarukyan previously urged the champion to retire and vacate the belt if he remained sidelined, Gaethje made it clear he has no intention of walking away, and his manager, Ali Abdelaziz, confirmed the champion will sit out the rest of the year to target a major return in 2027.
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UFC management is still letting the champion dictate the final steps. White reiterated recently that matchmaking decisions rest heavily on Gaethje’s availability, and Abdelaziz made it clear that the champion holds the leverage.
“Gaethje’s earned it; he can do whatever he wants and whatever the UFC wants,” Abdelaziz told Submission Radio. “We will figure it out; if Arman is next, so be it; if someone else is next, so be it, it’s gonna be up to Justin and what he wants to do.”
Now it remains to be seen when Gaethje completely recovers.
