Arman Tsarukyan revealed that the UFC had proposed a fight against Michael Chandler to take place at the upcoming White House event. However, according to Tsarukyan, those plans have since changed. The post does not specify what alternative matchup or event is now planned for him. No further details were provided about why the UFC altered its plans or what Chandler's current status is. The White House event remains a confirmed future UFC card, but the main event pairing is evidently still in flux.
Arman Tsarukyan has revealed that the UFC floated a matchup between him and Michael Chandler for the organization's planned White House event, though he indicated those plans have since fallen through.
Tsarukyan, 29, enters the conversation as one of the lightweight division's most dangerous contenders. The Russian fighter out of American Top Team carries a 23-3-0 record and holds the number-one ranking at 155 pounds. Standing five-foot-seven with a 72-inch reach, he is a well-rounded threat who averages 3.85 significant strikes per minute at 50 percent accuracy, and his grappling is among the most active in the division at 3.26 takedowns per 15 minutes.
Chandler, 40, would have represented a high-profile opponent for the occasion. The American veteran trains out of Kill Cliff FC and holds a 23-11-0 record across a lengthy career. At five-foot-eight with a 71-inch reach, "Iron" Mike is known for his explosive striking, landing 4.04 significant strikes per minute with 49 percent accuracy, and he also brings consistent takedown output at 1.96 per 15 minutes.
According to Tsarukyan, the UFC presented the pairing as the intended booking for the White House card, but something changed on the promotion's end. No explanation was given for the shift, and no replacement opponent or event has been confirmed for either fighter.
Why it matters
- Tsarukyan is the top-ranked lightweight contender, making any booking for him a direct title-picture storyline
- The White House event is a confirmed upcoming UFC card with its main event apparently still undecided
- Chandler's status and next opponent remain equally unclear following the reported change of plans
- Because Tsarukyan himself is the source and no official announcement has been made, the matchup should be treated as unconfirmed
