Arman Tsarukyan has pushed back against widespread speculation that he is set to fight Charles Oliveira in September, stressing that nothing is official. Tsarukyan said a casual remark on his YouTube channel about a possible matchup was taken out of context and turned into confirmed reports. He noted his next bout could come in September, October, December, or even next year, and that UFC has yet to finalize any plans.
Reports of a scheduled September showdown between Arman Tsarukyan and Charles Oliveira appear to be premature, with Tsarukyan himself stepping forward to clarify that no fight has been officially booked between the two lightweight contenders.
Tsarukyan, ranked first in the lightweight division at 29 years old, said an offhand comment he made on his YouTube channel about a potential matchup was taken out of context and misrepresented as confirmed news. The Russian fighter, who trains out of American Top Team, made clear that his next appearance could come in September, October, December, or even sometime in 2027, and that the UFC has not finalized any plans. Tsarukyan carries a 23-3 record and has shown well-rounded danger inside the octagon, averaging 3.85 significant strikes per minute along with 3.26 takedowns per 15 minutes.
Oliveira, meanwhile, remains a significant force at 155 pounds. The Brazilian veteran fights out of Chute Boxe Diego Lima and holds a 37-11 record with a P4P ranking of 11th in the world and third in the lightweight division. At 36 years old, Oliveira brings elite finishing ability, averaging 2.6 submission attempts per 15 minutes alongside a striking accuracy of 54 percent.
Why it matters
- Tsarukyan sits one spot away from a likely title shot, making his next opponent selection consequential for the entire lightweight picture
- Oliveira at ranked third would represent a high-stakes matchup with major title implications for the winner
- The style contrast is stark: Oliveira's submission volume against Tsarukyan's takedown output and striking rate sets up a compelling grappling chess match
- Until the UFC makes an official announcement, any timeline for this fight should be treated as unconfirmed
