Looks like Arman Tsarukyan was ready to fight Justin Gaethje as soon as Dan Hooker withdrew from the fight. “Dad had a fight, or was supposed to fight, but I’ve busted my paw,” Hooker announced his hand fracture through his daughter’s YouTube channel a few days before UFC 313. Amid their back-and-forth, the man who was then left without an opponent, Justin Gaethje, was caught with some shots coming from Tsarukyan’s way.

But why Gaethje, who was minding his own business without an opponent? Well, because according to ‘Akhalkalakets’, Gaethje took away his opportunity. While speaking to The Schmo he said, “So when Hooker pulled out they offered me that fight. I was the first one they called. And, it was like 10 days, I said, ‘Okay, I’m down, just I can fight in 164 lb catchweight,’ you know, but maybe for my performance, wouldn’t be good, but that’s why I said 160, it makes sense, because for 10 days, you know .” 

Tsarukyan further added, “And they said, ‘Okay we will think,’ and then they I think Gaethje said, ‘No.’ And he just pick right opponent uh because he’s supposed to fight the striker and he picked the striker because Gamrot wanted to fight with him as well and he didn’t pick him him as well so. But now I’m just waiting for their call and uh I’m so excited for my next fight.”

The former BMF champ Mateusz Gamrot had thrown his name into the mix against ‘The Highlight’ since he had a gap in his schedule. He even posted on X, “Hooker out, I’m ready to go @Justin_Geathje two weeks no matter!!” There were a host of names who wanted a shot at ‘The Highlight’, including Fiziev who already fought with the Arizonian once. 

However, neither Tsarukyan nor Gamrot got the chance, despite ‘Akhalkalakets’ stating on X that he had accepted the match immediately. The only issue was him wanting to fight at a catchweight. And to be fair to Gaethje, he didn’t need to entertain that since he was actually making the cut to 155 lbs. And now it seems to be clear that Tsarukyan was not the to say “Yes”, rather it was the UFC that said, “No!” But Tsarukyan might get a call soon from Dana White even after his UFC 311 pull out.

Dana White expects to see Arman Tsarukyan fight after UFC 311 withdrawal

The Armenian star missed out on a championship fight and paid the price. He injured himself before the UFC 311 event and had to withdraw, and then got denied another title shot upon his return to the Octagon. Dana White wasted no time in stating that Tsarukyan wouldn’t get an immediate title shot upon his return. However, the bossman is open to seeing him climb the ladder to success again.

During the UFC 311 post-fight conference the UFC head honcho said, “He’s going back to the drawing board. I don’t want anybody to fight hurt, ever. We’ve been in these positions before, went down there with the doctor… You miss opportunities sometimes, and he did. We’ll see how this plays out for him next year.” 

Given his ranking, the #1 lightweight star should ideally fight for a title, but Dana White wants him to earn the opportunity to fight Makhachev. Who do you think Arman Tsarukyan will be facing next in his career? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.