“You barely got past #11 on short notice, and before that, you got sent to the shadow realm. If you really want to be the #1 contender and fight for the belt, you have to go through me first.” #1 ranked 155fer Arman Tsaukyan gave a scathing warning to Justin Gaethje regarding who’s next in line for a shot at gold against Islam Makhachev. As the story goes, the Armenian juggernaut lost out on perhaps the biggest opportunity of his career when he pulled out of his scheduled title fight at UFC 311. This supposedly placed him in the bad books of head honcho Dana White who bluntly told Tsarukyan to earn his way back to the throne.

Amidst this hubbub, the former BMF champ jumped right back with a dominant victory over Rafael Fiziev at UFC 313 earlier this month. ‘The Highlight’ to quick to register his claim to fight the Dagestani next. Moreover, ‘Team Makhachev’ also expressed their delight in granting Gaethje a shot at gold. Just a regular day in the most vaunted and shark-infested weight class in the UFC! Two top talents and everything to give for that one opportunity.

Now, former 170lbs champ Kamaru Usman has chimed in with his views on the title picture at lightweight. ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ opined that Tsarukyan was given his rightful shot but failed to capitalize on it at the right moment. Speaking to his co-host Henry Cejudo on their ‘Pound 4 Pound’ podcast, Usman had some harsh words for the former title challenger.

“Let me just answer real quick. I hear what Arman Tsarukyan is saying. I feel that! But Arman, you were given a shot, you were given the build-up, you were given all of the resources. And that’s up probably why the company is not even looking towards you when it comes to putting you back in that picture. Because they built an event around you and Islam. They put a lot of money into promoting that event.”

The former champ further added, “They sold that event but unfortunately and obviously, they had to refund a couple of people who decided they didn’t want to watch the event live last minute because you couldn’t get in it. You couldn’t make it. And so I would have to believe that’s probably why the company is not as happy with him and they are not throwing him right back in that title picture.”

Tsarukyan finds himself in a challenging position but is determined to climb his way back to the top. The rising lightweight contender recently spoke with ‘The Schmo,’ revealing his eagerness to return to the Octagon. The Armenian made it clear that he is targeting top-ranked opponents, stating, “I want someone from the top five, like Gaethje or Oliveira. Gaethje wants a title shot. But nobody is going to give it to him right now, so it makes sense for him to fight me.”

A victory over an elite contender would significantly strengthen Tsarukyan’s case for a title opportunity. However, Makhachev’s longtime coach, Javier Mendez, has already identified him as the likely next challenger. Regardless of the opponent, Tsarukyan knows exactly what he must do to reestablish himself as a legitimate title contender.

Can Arman Tsarukyan make his way back to the title picture?

There are very few fighters in the UFC who have tested Islam Makhachev the way Tsarukyan has. During their initial clash in 2019 at the UFC Fight Night: Overeem vs. Oleinik event, the 28-year-old took the fight on short notice. Even with no time to prepare, the Armenian showed no signs of nerves and took the battle to the full distance.

Although he came up short, Tsarukyan managed to impress one and all with his performance and skill set. This is what the fans were expecting to see when the pair would have faced each other at UFC 311. However, the bout fell apart! But it seems that their first hurrah has had a lasting impression on Makhachev’s coach, Javier Mendez. 

In a conversation on his Javier and Mo Show podcast, the AKA head honcho stated: “Well for me I have always said Arman Tsarukyan because I feel for him. But I know how it works.” He then pointed out what the #1 ranked 155fer will need to do to get back to the title contention.

Mendez added, “He’s probably going to have to get another fight to get back on. We had to do the same thing with Khabib. He had to get another fight before he got his title shot. So basically it’s going to be one of those deals.” 

There is no doubt that Arman Tsarukyan is one of the most skillful fighters in the division. However, he will now have to show his true character when his back is against the wall. Can he get himself a title shot again? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.