Arman Tsarukyan’s UFC struggles are entirely of his own making—or so says Justin Gaethje. But here’s where it gets controversial: while Tsarukyan is undoubtedly one of the top lightweight contenders, his actions outside the octagon have seemingly derailed his path to the title. And this is the part most people miss: it’s not just about skill in the UFC; it’s about professionalism, reliability, and respect for the organization’s investments. Let’s break it down.
Despite being a formidable fighter, Tsarukyan has found himself on the sidelines of the title picture. With reigning champion Ilia Topuria taking a brief hiatus, Justin Gaethje (26-5) is set to face Paddy Pimblett (23-3) for the interim lightweight title at UFC 324 in Las Vegas. Gaethje, however, believes Tsarukyan’s own missteps are to blame for his current predicament. According to Gaethje, Tsarukyan’s repeated lapses in judgment have irked the UFC, from pulling out of a title fight at the last minute to headbutting his opponent during weigh-ins.
Here’s the kicker: Gaethje isn’t holding back. In an interview with the New York Post Sports, he bluntly stated, ‘Tsarukyan is definitely probably more deserving, but the guy messed up multiple times, and this is something you can’t do.’ He highlighted Tsarukyan’s withdrawal from a title fight against Islam Makhachev last year, a move that cost the UFC significant time, money, and resources. ‘If you mess up like that, they’re going to be pissed off,’ Gaethje added. To make matters worse, Tsarukyan headbutted Dan Hooker during weigh-ins, risking another fight cancellation. These actions, Gaethje argues, have tarnished Tsarukyan’s reputation with the UFC.
Tsarukyan’s troubles didn’t end there. After Makhachev vacated the title and moved up in weight, Tsarukyan was denied the title shot he felt he deserved. Even when he served as the backup fighter for Topuria’s title win against Charles Oliveira, his calls for a title shot fell on deaf ears. Meanwhile, Topuria expressed interest in fighting Paddy Pimblett, further sidelining Tsarukyan. Gaethje, on the other hand, took a different approach, threatening retirement if he wasn’t granted a title shot—a move that seemingly paid off.
But here’s the question that sparks debate: Is Tsarukyan’s talent enough to outweigh his unprofessional behavior? Gaethje doesn’t think so. He points to Tsarukyan’s stoppage win over Dan Hooker at UFC Qatar last November as an example of his skill, but notes that the headbutt incident at weigh-ins likely didn’t help his case. Adding fuel to the fire, Tsarukyan was also involved in an altercation with a fan before his UFC 300 clash against Oliveira in 2024. These incidents, Gaethje argues, show a pattern of self-sabotage.
In Gaethje’s words, ‘They put a lot of money, time, and resources into promoting a fight, and if you mess it up like that, they’re going to be pissed.’ It’s a harsh reality check for Tsarukyan, who now finds himself on the outside looking in. But what do you think? Is Gaethje right to place the blame squarely on Tsarukyan, or is the UFC being too harsh? Let’s hear your thoughts in the comments—this is one debate that’s sure to ignite passionate opinions on both sides.
