Arman Tsarukyan refused to weigh in as a replacement fighter for the Justin Gaethje vs. Ilia Topuria bout. Tsarukyan stated he will focus on his upcoming appearance at RAF instead.
Arman Tsarukyan has turned down the opportunity to serve as a backup fighter for the upcoming lightweight title bout between champion Justin Gaethje and contender Ilia Topuria, declining to weigh in as a replacement should either man be forced to withdraw.
Tsarukyan, ranked first in the lightweight division at 29 years old, carries a 23-3 record and trains out of American Top Team. The Russian fighter is a well-rounded threat, averaging 3.26 takedowns per 15 minutes alongside a 50 percent striking accuracy. Rather than commit to a backup role, he indicated he will direct his attention toward his own scheduled appearance at RAF.
Gaethje, the reigning lightweight champion, holds a 28-5 record and remains one of the most prolific strikers in the division. The 37-year-old American lands an impressive 6.48 significant strikes per minute at 58 percent accuracy, numbers that reflect a career built on relentless forward pressure and volume. Standing five-foot-eleven with a 70-inch reach, he brings clear physical advantages to most matchups at 155 pounds.
Topuria enters the bout ranked second in the lightweight division and first in the pound-for-pound rankings, carrying a 17-1 record at just 29 years old. The Spain-based Georgian lands 4.81 significant strikes per minute and adds a wrestling dimension with nearly two takedown attempts per 15 minutes, making him a multi-faceted challenger for the belt.
Why it matters
- Tsarukyan is the top-ranked lightweight, so his refusal leaves a notable gap in the backup fighter pool for a championship bout
- His decision to prioritize RAF suggests his own competitive timeline takes precedence over a supporting role
- With Gaethje and Topuria occupying the top two spots in the division, Tsarukyan's next move will carry significant rankings implications regardless of how the title fight unfolds
