Arman Tsarukyan isn’t letting something get in the best way of his first UFC title alternative — together with a suspension from the Nevada State Athletic Fee.
After taking a swing at a fan throughout his walkout at UFC 300, ‘Ahalkalakets’ was suspended for 9 months, placing him on the shelf for the remainder of 2024 and killing any probability of him difficult for the light-weight title earlier than the yr’s up. Nonetheless, the NSAC is prepared to shave down the sentence to 6 months if Tsarukyan participates in an anti-bullying public service announcement.
Doing so will enable him to return in October, simply in time to problem Islam Makhachev on October 26 when the UFC heads again to Abu Dhabi.
“I’ll shoot that anti-bullying video at the start of August, and my suspension ends on [October] thirteenth,” Tsarukyan mentioned in an interview with Sport 24. “I simply must make that video, then hopefully I’m going to struggle on the finish of October or early November.”
“I’ve to do [the video] to assist my profession,” he added. “And it doesn’t trouble me, it would solely do good for my profession. And truly, it doesn’t make any sense to place your palms on somebody and waste your vitality if you end up strolling out for an precise struggle. The issue is I’m a hot-tempered man. I’m both very variety or very offended and by no means a contented medium. Even once I practice, it’s both mild work or full contact … That’s my nature.”
Arman Tsarukyan has a verbal settlement to struggle for the light-weight title
Makhachev’s final look contained in the Octagon got here towards Dustin Poirier in June. the ‘Dagestani Destroyer’ secured his third light-weight title protection, incomes a fifth-round submission over ‘The Diamond’ in Newark, New Jersey.
Although Tsarukyan is clearly the subsequent man in line, Makhachev seemed to be much more curious about a possible champion vs. champion conflict with welterweight titleholder Leon Edwards.
Requested if he has any considerations over the UFC books that struggle as a substitute of giving him his long-awaited rematch with Makhachev, Tsarukyan dismissed that risk revealing that he already has a verbal settlement in place.
“No they received’t, as a result of we’ve a verbal settlement that I’m combating for the title,” he mentioned. “I don’t know if Islam was advised that, however they advised me I’m subsequent in line.
“To be sincere, I don’t care if he strikes up a weight class,” Tsarukyan added. “Simply give me the interim title then, or let him vacate the title. And I’ll struggle him for it. It’s not about combating Islam. I simply must grow to be the champion.”
Tsarukyan made his UFC debut towards Makhachev in April 2019, developing quick by way of unanimous determination. Since then, ‘Ahalkalakets’ has gone 8-1 and sits because the No. 1 ranked contender within the division following his spectacular exhibiting towards ex-champion Charles Oliveira.
