"I'm a backup for the White House" - Arman Tsarukyan addresses his UFC comeback timeline, potential opponent, and more

Arman Tsarukyan has opened up about his long-awaited return to the UFC's famed octagon.

The Armenian fighter has competed in just two MMA fights since 2024. He bested Charles Oliveira via split decision back in April 2024.

Despite winning that UFC title eliminator matchup, he missed out on his title shot because a back injury ruled him out of his scheduled rematch against then-UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev in January 2025. 

Following that, Tsarukyan defeated Dan Hooker via submission in November 2025.

Arman Tsarukyan outlines his UFC comeback timeline, potential opponent, and much more

Presently, UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria is set to face interim UFC lightweight champion Justin Gaethje at UFC Freedom 250 at the White House on June 14, 2026. Arman Tsarukyan has long been pursuing a fight against Topuria, and some fans have argued that he's more deserving of a title shot against "El Matador" than Gaethje is. 

However, the belief is that if Topuria beats Gaethje, the former would likely vacate the lightweight belt and move up to welterweight to try to dethrone current welterweight champion Islam Makhachev. In that case, Tsarukyan might get a shot at the vacant lightweight title against another high-ranking 155-pounder.

Well, in a video posted to his official YouTube channel, Arman Tsarukyan spoke to Mike Hermalyn of Fanatics Inc. When asked about his next MMA fight, Tsarukyan answered, "My next fight is title fight... which is probably September." 

Upon being asked where the fight is likely to be held, Tsarukyan replied, "L.A." He added, "But I'm a backup for the White House, too. If someone pulls out, or gets hurt..." 

The top-tier 155-pound contender affirmed that he'd step in to compete at UFC Freedom 250 if Topuria or Gaethje were to withdraw due to injury and/or other reason(s).

Nevertheless, he indicated that he won't weigh in for the Topuria-Gaethje matchup, as he's already booked to wrestle at RAF 10 on June 13. 

Tsarukyan implied that he's simply an emergency backup for the UFC Freedom 250 headliner. Intriguingly, the UFC hasn't officially announced him as the backup fighter yet. 

Moreover, while viewing a few UFC cards/collectibles, Tsarukyan came across an image of former UFC lightweight champion and reigning BMF champion, Charles Oliveira. He proceeded to suggest that he could be fighting Oliveira next.

He asserted, "I might fight him (Oliveira) again." However, it's unclear as to whether the Brazilian fighter's BMF title would be up for grabs in their possible fight. 

 

Watch Tsarukyan discuss the topic below (*comments at the 1:50-minute mark of the video): 

Arman Tsarukyan is set to compete in two marquee wrestling matches, featuring at RAF 10 and RAF 11

Arman Tsarukyan recently secured his fifth consecutive victory under the RAF (Real American Freestyle) wrestling banner, which is a U.S.-headquartered freestyle wrestling organization. 

As of this time, Tsarukyan is booked to face ex-interim UFC lightweight champion Tony Ferguson in a middleweight wrestling match at RAF 10 in St. Louis, Missouri, on June 13, 2026. 

Furthermore, Tsarukyan is then scheduled to take on ex-interim UFC welterweight champion Colby Covington in a cruiserweight wrestling match at RAF 11 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on July 18, 2026.