Arman Tsarukyan has been named the official backup fighter for the upcoming bout between Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje. The announcement confirms Tsarukyan's readiness to step in should either fighter be unable to compete. While the post is brief, it confirms that Tsarukyan will be prepared to replace either the champion or challenger if needed. This ensures the high-profile matchup has contingency planning in place.
Arman Tsarukyan has been officially named the backup fighter for the lightweight title fight between champion Justin Gaethje and top contender Ilia Topuria, with the announcement confirming he will be ready to step in should either man be unable to compete.
Gaethje, 37, holds the lightweight championship and carries a record of 28 wins and 5 losses. The American, who trains out of Genesis Training Center, is one of the division's most prolific strikers, landing 6.48 significant strikes per minute at a 58 percent accuracy rate. Standing five-foot-eleven with a 70-inch reach, "The Highlight" brings relentless forward pressure and elite punch output to every fight.
Topuria enters ranked second in the division and first in the pound-for-pound standings, carrying a 17-1-0 record at just 29 years old. The Spain-based Georgian, known as "El Matador," lands 4.81 significant strikes per minute and adds a consistent grappling threat, averaging nearly two takedowns and more than one submission attempt per 15 minutes. At five-foot-seven with a 69-inch reach, he is the smaller man against Gaethje but brings a complete skillset into the contest.
Tsarukyan, also 29, sits at the top of the lightweight rankings at number one and holds a 23-3-0 record under the American Top Team banner. The Russian standout is a significant grappling threat, averaging 3.26 takedowns per 15 minutes, and strikes at 50 percent accuracy with 3.85 significant strikes per minute. His 72-inch reach is notably longer than his five-foot-seven frame suggests.
Why it matters
- Tsarukyan is the division's top-ranked contender, making him a natural and credible insurance choice for a championship bout
- His presence as backup keeps the high-profile title fight protected against late withdrawals
- A potential replacement bout involving Tsarukyan would carry full title implications regardless of which side he stepped in for
