Arman Tsarukyan refused to serve as a backup for the Justin Gaethje versus Ilia Topuria fight. Tsarukyan stated he will focus on his upcoming RAF appearance instead.
Arman Tsarukyan has turned down a request to serve as a standby replacement for the upcoming lightweight title fight between champion Justin Gaethje and contender Ilia Topuria, citing a commitment to his own scheduled appearance at a RAF event.
Tsarukyan, ranked first in the lightweight division, carries a record of 23-3-0 and represents one of the most complete skill sets at 155 pounds. The 29-year-old Russian, who trains out of American Top Team, averages 3.26 takedowns per 15 minutes and posts a 50 percent striking accuracy — a blend of wrestling pressure and striking that has made him a consistent frontrunner in the division. At five-foot-seven with a 72-inch reach, he holds a notable reach advantage over many opponents his height.
Standing in his way of a future title shot is the matchup he declined to back up. Justin Gaethje, the reigning lightweight champion, brings a 28-5-0 record and some of the most aggressive output in the division at 6.48 significant strikes landed per minute with a 58 percent accuracy rate. The 37-year-old American from Genesis Training Center is five-foot-eleven with a 70-inch reach and fights out of an orthodox stance.
Topuria, ranked second and holding the pound-for-pound top spot in the AgentMMA rankings, enters at 17-1-0. The 29-year-old Spaniard representing Climent Club lands 4.81 significant strikes per minute and adds 1.96 takedowns per 15 minutes, giving him a multidimensional offensive game at a compact five-foot-seven frame.
Why it matters
- Tsarukyan is the top-ranked lightweight, meaning the winner of Gaethje-Topuria will almost certainly face him next
- His refusal to serve as backup keeps him fresh for his own scheduled bout
- The division's top three are now all on separate competitive tracks, tightening the title picture considerably
