Arman Tsarukyan said his potential lightweight-title return is “beginning of the next year,” with an answer he clarified as “almost” March or April after his Sept. win at UFC 331.
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Arman Tsarukyan said he expects his next opportunity could come early in 2027 as he pushes for a UFC lightweight title shot following a dominant win at UFC 331 in September.
Tsarukyan, who stopped Mauricio Ruffy in the first round by TKO via elbows, told Mike Heck that if he is not given the 155-pound belt, he would consider dropping to 145. He added, however, that “as I heard, I’m going to fight for the title next,” and said he plans to stay at lightweight: “I don’t want to move anywhere, because I feel like lightweight is the perfect weight class for me.”
When asked for a timeline for his return, Tsarukyan answered: “Beginning of the next year,” then clarified after a follow-up about whether that meant March or April. “Almost,” he said, without giving an exact date.
After Tsarukyan’s win, UFC president Dana White described the Armenian as being “in a better position,” while Tsarukyan said he is aiming to “be the best ever lightweight fighter” and “break all records there.”
Tsarukyan’s push also intersects with the current lightweight-title picture. Charles Oliveira is set to defend his BMF title against Diego Lopes at UFC 335 on December 12 at T-Mobile Arena, and Rogan said he believes the standout fight would still be Tsarukyan, though he floated the possibility of Oliveira and Justin Gaethje rematching in a scenario involving Oliveira’s next win. Rogan’s comments included the view that “Arman’s the fight” after what Tsarukyan did to Ruffy.
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