Arman Tsarukyan has been facing quite a bit of trouble lately. But it all began when he ditched Islam Makhachev at the 11th hour at UFC 311. Of course, ‘Ahalkalakets’ had some genuine reasons to pull out of the bout. Had he fought with a troubled back, things would have been much worse. But now, even though he’s the #1 lightweight contender, Tsarukyan is left without a fight. Makhachev seems to have moved on from him, and Charles Oliveira is apparently focusing on something bigger. And that’s when Karate Combat came in to save the Armenian’s dreams. 

In the recent episode of the Ariel Helwani Show, the famed MMA journalist pushed forth Karate Combat 54, which is going down on May 2, 2025. Helwani pointed out that the current light heavyweight champion, Sam Alvey, would take on ‘The King Of The Ring’, Tyrone Spong, with the heavyweight belt on the line. In the co-main event, Muhammad Mokaev would make his debut in the pit against Bolat Zamanbekov. And lo behold, KC 54 would also be the #1 UFC lightweight contender’s debut. 

Helwani said, “I have been told by promotional sources that a match that has just been added in their pit submission series, which is basically their grappling wing if you will, is Makkasharip Zaynukov versus Arman Tsarukyan. UFC lightweight contender, Arman Tsarukyan, in a 175-pound catchweight bout. So, he usually competes obviously at 155 in the UFC, making his Karate Combat debut.” In case you’re wondering about Zaynukov, he’s actually one of Makhachev’s teammates from Eagle MMA. And just like the Dagestani UFC champion, Zaynukov also hails from Makhachkala. This means that Tsarukyan will fight his nemesis’ teammate at KC 54. 

But why did Islam Makhachev and Charles Oliveira refuse to fight ‘Ahalkalakets’? Is it because they have already battled the Armenian mixed martial artist once before? Let’s find out what Tsarukyan had to say about it. 

Arman Tsarukyan reveals the reason behind Islam Makhachev and Charles Oliveira’s rejection

During his recent appearance on the JAXXON Podcast, Arman Tsarukyan weighed in on Ilia Topuria’s move to the lightweight division. Of course, the lightweight champion doesn’t really wish to fight ‘La Leyenda’, and Tsarukyan understood the reason pretty well. If he won against a former featherweight champion again, people would just claim that he defeated a smaller guy, again. And it’d be the normal thing to do. However, things would be a bit different if he fought Tsarukyan instead. The Armenian said, “If Islam beats me, then I think he’s done with this division. He beat everybody. Just he got to beat me, and then people can say that.” However, Makhachev has repeatedly expressed his desire to move to the welterweight division. Otherwise, he wanted a fight against someone he had never fought before.

And as far as ‘Do Bronx’ was concerned, the Brazilian wanted to go for the title shot next. Tsarukyan continued, “Right now, because it’s a dangerous fight, and I don’t have a title. Oliveira wants to fight for the title, Topuria wants to fight, everybody wants to fight for the title, and when the title fight is going (to get) booked, and then I’m going to get the fight.” But the former lightweight champion hasn’t really voiced anything about not wanting to fight Tsarukyan. 

Nevertheless, Tsarukyan will step into his first fight of 2025 on May 2, under the banner of Karate Combat. After defeating Oliveira at UFC 300, debuting in a grappling tournament might seem like a drop down. But with the uncertainty shrouding the lightweight division, this is indeed one of the smartest moves for Tsarukyan. After all, he can always fight the lightweight champion, whoever that may be, after the dust settles at 155. 

Do you think Tsarukyan should get his title shot back and fight Makhachev? Will his performance against Zaynukov get him a fight against the lightweight champion? Let us know what you think in the comments down below.