Inglewood, California, Arman Tsarukyan’s quest for the UFC lightweight title has hit a significant roadblock following a late-notice withdrawal from the main event of UFC 311.
The Armenian fighter, who was set to challenge reigning champion Islam Makhachev, informed the UFC on Friday that a back injury rendered him unable to compete. The news was confirmed by UFC CEO Dana White during the post-fight press conference on Saturday night.
Dana White Addresses Arman Tsarukyan’s Withdrawal
Speaking to reporters, Dana White emphasised that the UFC prioritises fighter safety but acknowledged the missed opportunity for Arman Tsarukyan. Speaking about this Dana White 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. We’re down there with the doctor, with Heather from (the UFC Performance Institute). You can ask any fighter – she’s the best in the world. You miss opportunities sometimes, and he did. We’ll see how this plays out for him next year.”
Dana White has also confirmed that the promotion would not be granting Tsarukyan another immediate title shot. When pressed by reporters Dana White said;
“He’s not getting the title shot, that means he’s going to have to fight his way back to the title.”
Moicano Steps In; Makhachev Defends Title
With Arman Tsarukyan out, the UFC turned to Renato Moicano to fill the vacancy on just over 24 hours’ notice. Moicano was initially scheduled to face Beneil Dariush on the same card, however, stepped into the main event slot against Makhachev.
Islam Makhachev, who defeated Arman Tsarukyan in a closely contested fight back in 2019, wasted no time defending his title for the fourth time. The champion submitted Moicano in the first round, further cementing his dominance in the lightweight division.
Arman Tsarukyan’s Record and Path Forward
Arman Tsarukyan entered UFC 311 on a four-fight winning streak and held a 9-1 record since his competitive decision loss to Islam Makhachev in 2019. Despite his strong performance in the lightweight division, the injury withdrawal has stalled his momentum.
Currently ranked number 1 in the UFC’s lightweight rankings, Tsarukyan will need to prove himself again in the octagon before earning another shot at the title. With a stacked division and rising contenders, his path back to the championship will likely include tough matchups.
While the missed opportunity is a setback, Tsarukyan remains a formidable fighter. As Dana White suggested, 2024 will be a pivotal year for the Armenian as he looks to regain his position as a top contender in one of the UFC’s most competitive divisions.
Featured image credits to Embed from Getty Images
