Dana White “ditched” Arman Tsarukyan: the Armenian fighter was denied a title shot

UFC President Dana White made a loud series of announcements live during the halftime of the Chiefs–Cowboys Thanksgiving game, revealing the key fights for early 2026. However, the biggest surprise wasn’t the lineup itself, but the absence of Arman Tsarukyan — the obvious top contender for the lightweight championship fight.

Tsarukyan left without a title opportunity despite his winning streak

Arman Tsarukyan, who recently convincingly defeated Dan Hooker, secured the #1 spot in the lightweight rankings and climbed to #13 in the pound-for-pound list. He expected to be booked for a full title fight against the reigning champion Ilia Topuria.

Arman publicly stated he could return as early as January:

“I’m ready to fight in January 2026 and have already started my training camp.”

But instead of the expected title bout, the UFC announced a different scenario.

Interim title without Tsarukyan: Pimblett vs Gaethje
Dana White announced that on January 24 at UFC 324 in Las Vegas, the interim lightweight title fight will take place between:

• Paddy Pimblett, who has no wins over top-5 opponents and has been criticized for weak competition;

• Justin Gaethje, who has only one win since his loss to Max Holloway.

The decision to insert Pimblett and Gaethje into the title picture shocked fans, especially considering Tsarukyan’s status as the #1 contender.

Why not Topuria? The champion is taking a break
Ilia Topuria stated he would not fight until spring 2026 due to personal issues:

“I will not fight in the first quarter of next year. I’m going through a difficult time in my personal life. I want to focus on my children…
I don’t want to stall the division. UFC will organize the necessary fights, and once everything is resolved, I will inform them I’m ready to return.”

Thus, the interim belt is needed to keep the division active — but leaving the top contender Tsarukyan out is the most questionable decision.

Dana White also confirmed that the winner of Gaethje–Pimblett will face Ilia Topuria next for the undisputed championship. What happens to Tsarukyan remains unclear: the 29-year-old Armenian currently has no opponents lined up and may have to wait until fall 2026.

What should Tsarukyan do now? His prospects look bleak.

Arman's situation is paradoxical:

• The Pimblett-Gaethje fight is scheduled for January.
• The winner will only be able to face Topuria in May 2026.
• If Topuria wins in May, he, by his own admission, will aim for a superfight with Islam Makhachev, tentatively scheduled for the fall of 2026.
• Tsarukyan is not in his plans at all.

Therefore, Arman's real chance to fight for the belt may only arise in the summer or fall of 2026, when the title becomes vacant again due to Topuria's move to another division or a long break.

Until then, Tsarukyan has virtually no one to fight:

Top fighters are busy, Pimblett and Gaethje are fighting for the title, Topuria is out until spring, and other options—Gamrot, Oliveira—carry more risk than benefit.

This means a potentially pointless layoff of 8-10 months or the need to take unattractive fights that offer little in the way of title progression.

Announced UFC 324 fights (January 24, Las Vegas)

• Paddy Pimblett vs Justin Gaethje (Interim Lightweight Title)

• Kayla Harrison vs Amanda Nunes

• Sean O’Malley vs Song Yadong

• Cortes Acosta vs Derrick Lewis

• Arnold Allen vs Jean Silva

• Umar Nurmagomedov vs Deiveson Figueiredo

• 

Announced UFC 325 fights (January 31)

• Alexander Volkanovski vs Diego Lopes

UPDATED: Arman Tsarukyan reacts after UFC bypasses him in the lightweight title race