In a surprising turn of events, UFC lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan has publicly expressed his dissatisfaction with the organization’s recent fight offer, which he deemed disrespectful. The fighter declined to headline an upcoming tournament scheduled for July 26, 2025, in Abu Dhabi, citing that the proposed opponent was not worthy of competing against the number one ranked fighter.
Tsarukyan, who has established himself as a formidable presence in the lightweight division, was offered a main event match against Mateusz Gamrot, a fighter he previously faced and lost to in June 2022. Tsarukyan, however, made it clear that he is not interested in a rematch with Gamrot, stating, "They offered me the main fight of the evening in Abu Dhabi in July, but I refused because I didn’t want to fight that opponent. He was significantly lower in the ranking, and I didn’t see the point in fighting him."
The 28-year-old fighter emphasized that he is looking to compete against someone from the top-5 or top-6 rankings to solidify his claim for a title shot. "I want to fight someone who is at least in the top-5 or top-6 to win and prove that I am guaranteed to fight for the title. I’m number one, and giving a gift to the tenth-ranked fighter—nobody gave me such a gift when I was in the top-10. I fought against top-9, top-8, top-7, top-5, and top-4 fighters on my way to becoming number one. I don’t want to give up my place just like that," Tsarukyan explained.
His refusal to accept the bout with Gamrot stems from a sense of frustration towards the UFC’s matchmaking decisions. "They angered me by offering such an opponent. I consider it disrespectful towards me. Why did they act this way when I deserve more? I’m number one. I’m not saying, ‘give me a title fight,’ but give me a contender fight. Let them give me a good opponent from the top-5, or at least someone on a winning streak. The opponent they offered was on a losing streak. At least they could have given me Dan Hooker, who is on a winning streak," he lamented.
Tsarukyan’s last fight was a victory against Brazilian fighter Charles Oliveira in April 2024, after which he was slated to challenge current champion Islam Makhachev at UFC 312 in February 2025. However, that match was scrapped due to a back injury Tsarukyan suffered. With a professional record of 9 wins and 2 losses in the UFC, Tsarukyan is eager to return to the octagon and re-establish his position as a top contender.
In his previous encounter with Gamrot, Tsarukyan lost by unanimous decision, a result that still weighs on him. "I don’t need this rematch. He needs it more than I do. Why should he get such a gift?" Tsarukyan stated. The fighter's determination to seek higher-ranked opponents reflects his ambition to ascend the ranks and ultimately vie for the championship title.
As of now, Tsarukyan remains focused on finding the right fight that will allow him to demonstrate his skills and solidify his status in the division. His refusal to accept the matchup with Gamrot sends a clear message to the UFC about his expectations and the level of competition he is willing to face.
Fans and analysts alike are eager to see how this situation unfolds and whether the UFC will heed Tsarukyan’s request for a more suitable opponent. With the lightweight division being one of the most competitive in the promotion, the stakes are high for Tsarukyan as he looks to make his mark and earn his shot at the title.
