Arman Tsarukyan‘s decision to withdraw from UFC 311 has ended his title chances, and it appears like Justin Gaethje will gain from it. ‘Akhalkalakets’ was supposed to face Islam Makhachev for the lightweight title, but his late withdrawal left the UFC scrambling for a substitute. While injuries are a part of the game, Dana White’s reaction to Tsarukyan’s departure indicated displeasure rather than sympathy. And if the UFC head honcho’s disappointment wasn’t enough, Paddy Pimblett took things a step further, tearing down the Armenian fighter while giving Gaethje the go-ahead for the next title bout.
The Scouser didn’t mince words during a UFC Q&A session when asked who Makhachev would face next. “I think it’s more than likely looking like Justin’s going to end up fighting for it, to be honest, after Arman s— his undies the night before the fight,” he said. “Dana said he needs to go back to the drawing board, so it doesn’t look like it’s going to be the little rich boy Arman. Looks more like it’s going to be Justin.”
The comments stung not only because of the insult but also because they echoed what many in the community appear to be thinking. ‘Akhalkalakets’ had spent years fighting his way to the top, only to throw it all away at the final moment.
While Arman Tsarukyan slips into the background, ‘The Highlight’ unexpectedly finds himself in the ideal position. Yes, he was knocked out cold by Max Holloway at UFC 300, but history indicates that the UFC does not always hold a brutal defeat against a fan-favorite fighter. Dustin Poirier rebounded from his knockout loss to Gaethje by defeating Benoit Saint-Denis and advancing to a title fight. Now, it looks like Justin Gaethje is in a similar position.
Islam Makhachev | via Imago
Arman Tsarukyan’s future is unclear at best. Dana White made it obvious that he is no longer in contention for the crown. Whether it was an unfortunate injury or something more serious, the UFC does not provide second chances. And with Gaethje lurking and ready to take his position, the lightweight division may have simply moved on without him, just as Paddy Pimblett said in the video. But what if we tell you that it is possible the UFC never wanted Tsarukyan to be in the challenger spot? In fact, Team Makhachev believes that the Dana White-led promotion might even be working against him.
Team Islam Makhachev claims UFC bias against Arman Tsarukyan
For most fans, Arman Tsarukyan‘s title dreams died when he withdrew from UFC 311. Dana White’s statements left little doubt: he wasn’t next in line anymore. But, while the UFC may have moved on, IslamMakhachev‘s camp has not. His coach, Javier Mendez, continues to believe that ‘Akhalkalakets’ is the rightful challenger. And, given how difficult it was for Khabib Nurmagomedov to secure his title opportunity back in the day, Mendez believes Tsarukyan’s situation is more than just poor luck—the UFC is playing favorites. “He’s probably going to have to get another fight to get back on. We had to do the same thing with Khabib,” Mendez explained.
However, the UFC isn’t waiting for him. Ilia Topuria has recently vacated his featherweight title and is looking for a fight with Makhachev. Charles Oliveira is still in the mix, waiting for his second chance. And Justin Gaethje? At UFC 313, he presented his case very well. But if the UFC is looking for the next contender, Makhachev isn’t making the call. “Let’s see who they give us. We’re going to say yes,” Mendez said, emphasizing that the champion will not waste time arguing for Tsarukyan’s seat. The UFC has its own agenda, and based on the current situation, it does not involve ‘Akhalkalakets.’
Still, Mendez has his own preferences. “To me, Justin Gaethje is the one I want. He’s the logical one for me,” he said. ‘The Highlight,’ ranked third and coming off a great performance, is a challenge that Makhachev will be eager to prepare for. However, this is only Mendez’s point of view. The UFC does not always follow common sense. But what do you think? Do you believe that the UFC is playing favorites? Let us know in the comments.
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