Arman Tsarukyan was set to challenge Islam Makhachev for the lightweight title at UFC 311, but an untimely back injury forced the Armenian to withdraw, paving the way for Renato Moicano to step in as a last-minute replacement. This unfortunate turn of events has raised questions about Tsarukyan’s standing in the title picture.

Dana White, however, has made it clear that Tsarukyan will not be part of the immediate title conversation. White explained that Tsarukyan would have to claw his way back to the championship once he returned from his injury. However, not everyone agrees with the UFC head honcho. Former 170lbs kingpin Kamaru Usman, on the other hand, holds a different view.

Speaking on the Pound 4 Pound podcast, Usman expressed his belief that Tsarukyan should not be removed from title contention solely due to an injury. “I get what you’re saying, but that’s what I mean. We’re not getting the real reason of what went on behind closed doors. To let us know because if it’s, ‘Oh, he couldn’t make the weight,’ then yeah, you squandered your opportunity so yeah you gotta fight your way back. But if you dealt with an injury, and you’re the next clear-cut contender, no, then you don’t just move past him. We let him get that,” Usman said.

Usman also pointed out that Charles Oliveira should not be the UFC’s go-to choice if Tsarukyan returns in time. He added that Oliveira did lose to the Armenian at UFC 300 and then bounced back with a victory at UFC 309. And this did not imply that the Brazilian has been waiting on the sidelines forever. If Tsarukyan isn’t able to recover in time, then only the logical standpoint would be to pit Oliveira against the Dagestani.

The 28-year-old now faces the daunting task of starting from scratch. This has left fans wondering: what exactly led to Tsarukyan’s last-minute injury? The timing of his withdrawal was particularly unfortunate, derailing what could have been a career-defining opportunity. Let’s delve into the circumstances surrounding Tsarukyan’s injury and what it means for his journey back to title contention.

Team Arman Tsarukyan reveals a secret about his injury

Arman Tsarukyan’s striking coach, Artem Levin, has provided clarity for fans concerned about the fighter’s condition. Speaking to Ushatayka, Levin revealed that the injury stemmed from a combination of weight cutting and pre-existing issues. Levin explained, “Sometimes weight cutting exposes old problems that you may not even notice. During the final stages of the process, you might pull or strain something. It’s not entirely clear what happened. I think it’s a combination of factors. Weight loss is the main issue, and something was likely pulled or strained.”

For Tsarukyan, the road to a lightweight title shot now appears uncertain. Even if he makes a quick return later this month, the landscape has shifted significantly. Islam Makhachev’s dominant victory over Renato Moicano at UFC 311 has further solidified the champion’s position.

However, there is a silver lining: Makhachev has expressed a willingness to grant anyone a shot at his title as long as they can make 155lbs and that includes Tsarukyan as well. What does this mean for Tsarukyan’s legacy? Will he bounce back stronger or struggle to regain his footing in the crowded lightweight division? Share your thoughts in the comments below!