Arman Tsarukyan refused to serve as a backup fighter for the Gaethje vs Topuria bout. Tsarukyan stated he will concentrate 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 Justin Gaethje and Ilia Topuria, instead choosing to direct his attention toward a scheduled appearance at RAF.
Tsarukyan, 29, enters this period as the top-ranked contender in the lightweight division, carrying a 23-3 record under the American Top Team banner. The Russian fighter stands five-foot-seven with a notably long 72-inch reach and has built his reputation as one of the division's most dangerous grapplers, averaging 3.26 takedowns per 15 minutes alongside a 50 percent striking accuracy.
The fight he declined to back up features two of the most compelling figures in the 155-pound weight class. Gaethje, the current lightweight champion, holds a 28-5 record and at 37 remains one of the sport's most prolific strikers, landing 6.48 significant strikes per minute at a 58 percent clip. The American brings near-zero grappling offense, having averaged just 0.33 takedowns per 15 minutes across his career. Topuria, ranked second in the division and first in the pound-for-pound standings, holds a 17-1 record and fights out of Spain at 29 years old. The southpaw-era turned orthodox finisher lands 4.81 significant strikes per minute and adds a consistent takedown threat at 1.96 per 15 minutes.
Why it matters
- Tsarukyan's refusal keeps him fresh and focused rather than on standby, potentially positioning him for a title shot following the Gaethje-Topuria outcome.
- With Tsarukyan ranked first and Topuria ranked second, the lightweight division's top three are all directly connected to this title picture.
- Tsarukyan's grappling-heavy style contrasts sharply with both Gaethje's brawling approach and Topuria's well-rounded finishing game, making future matchup dynamics highly relevant to the division.
