Arman Tsarukyan is basically stuck in the weirdest version of MMA purgatory.
If you've been following the lightweight title picture lately, you know it's a mess. The 29-year-old Armenian powerhouse is currently the No. 1 ranked lightweight in the world, yet he’s sitting on the sidelines while a guy who isn’t even the champion holds up the entire line. After a dominant 2025 that saw him submit Dan Hooker in Qatar, Tsarukyan was supposed to be the next man up for gold.
But things aren't that simple in the UFC.
Current champion Ilia Topuria is currently inactive, reportedly dealing with personal legal matters involving a divorce and custody battle. Because Topuria usually only fights once a year anyway, Tsarukyan is staring down a long, empty 2026 if he just waits for a "real" title shot. Honestly, he’s over it. He recently told Ariel Helwani that he’s done waiting.
The BMF Route and the 145-Pound Gamble
So, what is the Arman Tsarukyan next fight actually going to look like?
Right now, he’s eyeing two very different paths. The first is a move to featherweight. It sounds crazy because he’s a massive lightweight, but he’s floated the idea of dropping down to 145 pounds to chase a belt there if the 155-pound scene stays frozen. It's a high-risk, high-reward play.
The more likely scenario, though, involves the BMF title.
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On March 7, 2026, Max Holloway and Charles Oliveira are set to clash for the BMF belt at UFC 326. Tsarukyan has already beaten Oliveira once—a gritty split decision at UFC 300—and he’s made it clear that if Oliveira wins that rematch, he wants the BMF belt next.
- He wants to stay active.
- He’s frustrated by the "one fight a year" pace of the current champ.
- He’s already proved he’s the best "active" lightweight.
Tsarukyan isn't just talking, either. He’s staying busy with grappling and wrestling matches to keep his timing sharp. In late December 2025, he faced Shara "Bullet" Magomedov in a submission-only match in Yerevan. Just a few weeks ago, in January 2026, he shut down former PFL champ Lance Palmer in a freestyle wrestling bout at RAF 5.
The guy is a machine. He just needs a target.
Why He’s Not at UFC 324
A lot of fans were confused when the UFC booked Justin Gaethje vs. Paddy Pimblett for the interim lightweight title at UFC 324 on January 24, 2026.
Tsarukyan was notably absent from that conversation. Why? Well, Tsarukyan has his own theories. He told Helwani he thinks the UFC is trying to protect Paddy Pimblett and steer him toward a championship. He also mentioned that his own "dangerous" style and a few past controversies—like that fan altercation at UFC 300 and a headbutt during a weigh-in staredown with Hooker—might have put him in the promotion's doghouse.
Whatever the reason, he’s serving as an unofficial backup for that January 24th card. He’s in Las Vegas right now, training and staying on weight just in case someone trips on a cable or catches a cold.
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What Most People Get Wrong About the Rankings
There’s this misconception that being No. 1 means you automatically get the next fight.
It doesn't.
In the UFC, narrative often beats the spreadsheet. If Pimblett wins the interim title at UFC 324, the UFC might try to leapfrog him over Tsarukyan for a massive domestic clash. That’s why Tsarukyan is pivoting. If he can’t get the "undisputed" belt because Topuria is out, and he’s being ignored for the "interim" belt, he’ll go for the "BMF" or jump weight classes.
He’s 29. He’s in his prime. He doesn't have three years to wait for the legal system to let a champion fight again.
The Realistic Timeline
If we look at the schedule, an Arman Tsarukyan next fight in the Octagon probably won't happen until June 2026.
He’s targeting the winner of the Gaethje-Pimblett fight for the summer, but if that doesn't materialize, expect him to call out the winner of Holloway-Oliveira immediately after UFC 326. He needs a big name to keep his momentum. After his back injury forced him out of the Islam Makhachev rematch at UFC 311 back in early 2025, he’s been playing catch-up with his own career.
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He’s 23-3 for a reason. His wrestling is elite, his striking has evolved into something genuinely scary, and his gas tank is bottomless.
How to Track His Next Move
If you want to stay ahead of the curve on when he's actually stepping back into the cage, keep an eye on his social media during the UFC 324 broadcast. He’s going to be in the building.
Watch the UFC 326 results closely. If Charles Oliveira beats Max Holloway, the "storyline" for a Tsarukyan vs. Oliveira 2 for the BMF title becomes the easiest sell in the world. It’s a fight that makes sense for the fans, for the rankings, and for Tsarukyan’s sanity.
Until then, he’ll keep wrestling in Florida and grappling in Armenia. He's staying ready so he doesn't have to get ready. The lightweight division is a shark tank, but right now, the biggest shark is the one without a fight booked.
Don't expect him to stay quiet for long. He’s too good, and frankly, too impatient to let the prime of his career slip away in a training camp with no end date.
To prepare for his eventual return, watch his last performance against Dan Hooker to see how his submission game has improved. If you're betting on the lightweight future, keep an eye on the post-fight interviews at UFC 324, as the winner will almost certainly have Tsarukyan's name in their mouth—whether they want to fight him or avoid him.