Tag: Arman Tsarukyan

‘Why not?’: Benoit Saint Denis welcomes Dan Hooker next, calls Arman Tsarukyan dream fight at lightweight

Benoit Saint Denis is game to fight anyone – preferably the highest-ranked lightweight possible.

[autotag]Benoit Saint Denis[/autotag] is game to fight anyone – preferably the highest-ranked lightweight available.

Saint Denis (13-2 MMA, 6-2 UFC) got a taste of the upper echelon of the division when he was matched up with current title challenger Dustin Poirier at UFC 299 in March, but was knocked out in Round 2. Saint Denis was battling a staph infection which he said heavily impacted his performance.

The rising French star is now looking ahead. [autotag]Dan Hooker[/autotag] (22-12 MMA, 12-8 UFC) told The MMA Hour in April that the UFC offered him Saint Denis September in Paris, and Saint Denis is open to that fight.

“Yeah, why not? Dan Hooker is a tough fighter. He’s a good fighter. I’m looking to fight anybody in the top 15,” Saint Denis told MMA Junkie. “I would like to face somebody with the best number possible next to his name. So if it’s Dan Hooker, it’s Dan Hooker. I would love it. Yeah, maybe No. 7, maybe No. 6, maybe No. 5.

“It was an exciting fight with Dustin, didn’t go my way. I made way too many mistakes against a world-class opponent, but now I need to bounce back and I want to show that I’m here for a reason, and I’m looking to the future with enthusiasm. I cannot wait to have the name of my next opponent. If it’s in Paris, it would be great. So yeah, let’s go.”

Saint Denis’ next taste of competition comes in the form of a grappling match against Marc Diakiese in the ADXC 4 headliner May 18 in Paris. The original opponent discussed was [autotag]Arman Tsarukyan[/autotag], who Saint Denis believes didn’t grapple him due to likely being the backup for Islam Makhachev’s title defense against Dustin Poirier at UFC 302.

However, Saint Denis hopes he gets the chance to fight Tsarukyan (22-3 MMA, 9-2 UFC) someday.

“I would love to face Arman Tsarukyan,” Saint Denis said. “It will be a great fight. Obviously he’s No. 1 contender, but Makhachev is not the most active champion. I don’t know if he’ll still be champion, but if he’s still champion, I think he will take some time off.

“A lot of stuff can happen in this division. Let’s see what happens, but of course, the guys that can put me as up as possible is what I would love. I think a fight against Arman Tsarukyan would be perfect, but I’m not the matchmaker of the UFC.”

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NAC confirms two UFC 300 fighters’ pay withheld, says Dana White offered to pay fine for cage leap

UFC CEO Dana White apparently offered to front the bill for Diego Lopes so the two could chat outside the cage at UFC 300.

Nevada has officially voted to withhold earnings from UFC 300 fighters [autotag]Arman Tsarukyan[/autotag] and [autotag]Diego Lopes[/autotag] pending disciplinary hearings.

At a monthly meeting Tuesday, the Nevada Athletic Commission voted to withhold 20 percent ($31,600) of Tsarukyan’s purse ($158,000) for swiping at a fan during his walkout, and five percent ($5,000) of Lopes’ $100,000 purse for hopping over the cage in celebration of his victoy. The commission had temporarily withheld the funds since the April 13 event at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Executive director Jeff Mullen also revealed that UFC CEO Dana White said he’d pay Lopes’ fine, which came about after he hopped the cage following his finish of Sodiq Yusuff. Video showed that Lopes appeared to ask for and receive permission from White prior to the leap.

“After (Lopes) won, he jumped up and gestured toward Dana White, like, ‘Can I come over? Can I come over?'” Mullen said. “And White gestured like, ‘Come over.’ Then, I immediately stood up and took a step over that way and Dana White said, ‘I will pay his fine. I will pay his fine.’ Then our inspectors came around and proceeded to (assist) as I was trying to get him back in the cage also. Our inspectors came around and escorted him back in the cage.”

Tsarukyan was met with a middle finger by a fan during his walkout before his split decision win over Charles Oliveira. In response, Tsarukyan threw a punch into the crowd, which was captured on the broadcast and from multiple cell phone cameras.

Mullen said Tuesday the fan was asked if he wanted to press charges. The fan declined, accepted responsibility for instigating the incident (something he also did publicly) and expressed relief he was not ejected.

Multiple commission members indicated they felt the incident was unprecedented with nothing quite like it having happened before.

The two fighters will have formal disciplinary hearings at a future commission meeting, likely one scheduled for May 31.

Arman Tsarukyan: Michael Chandler ‘never uses his brain,’ has to knock out Conor McGregor early to win

Arman Tsarukyan thinks Michael Chandler’s thirst for war will likely cost him against Conor McGregor.

[autotag]Arman Tsarukyan[/autotag] thinks [autotag]Michael Chandler[/autotag]’s thirst for war will likely cost him against [autotag]Conor McGregor[/autotag].

Chandler (23-8 MMA, 2-3 UFC) welcomes McGregor (22-6 MMA, 10-4 UFC) back in a welterweight bout, which headlines UFC 303 June 29 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas (pay-per-view, ESPN, ESPN+). McGregor will return from an almost three-year long layoff after breaking his leg in July 2021.

Chandler’s two most recent losses came to Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje. Chandler had his moments, but was ultimately outlasted in all-out wars. Tsarukyan expects the same approach from him against McGregor.

“He never uses his brain,” Tsarukyan said on the “Believe You Me” podcast. “He always fights for the fans. He’s going to try to knock him out because he’s so dangerous in the first round. He can finish Conor in the first round.

“If it’s going to be second round or third round, he’s going to lose the fight. He has to knock him out in the first round or he’s going to lose that fight. I feel like Conor, his conditioning is better and he’s smarter than Chandler.”

Tsarukyan (22-3 MMA, 9-2 UFC) and Chandler have recently gone back-and-forth. Chandler criticized Tsarukyan’s decision to turn down a short-notice title fight against lightweight champion Islam Makhachev at UFC 302 on June 1, and Tsarukyan fired back. Tsarukyan defeated former champion Charles Oliveira two weeks ago at UFC 300 to cement himself as No. 1 contender.

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 303.

Arman Tsarukyan fires back at Michael Chandler: ‘You are just waiting for a paycheck’

Arman Tsarukyan responds to Michael Chandler’s comments questioning his decision to pass on a UFC title shot.

[autotag]Arman Tsarukyan[/autotag] didn’t stay quiet following Michael Chandler’s recent comments about him passing up a title opportunity.

Tsarukyan, a top UFC lightweight contender, was offered to fight UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev in the main event of UFC 302 on June 1 after his decision win over Charles Oliveira earlier this month at UFC 300. Although it was a big opportunity, Tsarukyan (22-3 MMA, 9-2 UFC) decided to pass up on the opportunity and wait for his turn, given the short amount he would’ve had to prepare.

This caught the attention of many, including Chandler, who was critical of Tsarukyan’s decision. However, Tsarukyan doesn’t expect Chanlder to understand his thought process, as he believes they’re in very different positions.

“I don’t expect you to understand (Michael Chandler),” Tsarukyan wrote on X. “We are not on the same level. I am here to be the champ. You are just waiting for a paycheck. I also don’t understand why you waited Conor fight for 2 years, you could’ve lost 4 exciting fights during that time.”

Chandler returns at UFC 303 on June 29 to face Conor McGregor in a welterweight bout. This fight has been years in the making, and has been expected for a long time, as both Chandler and McGregor served as opposing coaches of last year’s season of The Ultimate Fighter.

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Michael Chandler: Arman Tsarukyan made a mistake by turning down UFC 302 vs. Islam Makhachev

Michael Chandler disagrees with Arman Tsarukyan turning down Islam Makhachev on short notice.

[autotag]Michael Chandler[/autotag] disagrees with [autotag]Arman Tsarukyan[/autotag] turning down [autotag]Islam Makhachev[/autotag] on short notice.

Tsarukyan defeated Charles Oliveira this past Saturday at UFC 300 to cement himself as No. 1 contender. He was immediately offered a title fight against lightweight champion Makhachev (25-1 MMA, 14-1 UFC) for UFC 302 on June 1, but Tsarukyan declined due to not having enough time to prepare.

Chandler thinks Tsarukyan (22-3 MMA, 9-2 UFC) made a mistake that could cost him down the line.

“Arman just went out there and beat Oliveira, sounds like he’s going to be No. 1 contender next,” Chandler said on “The MMA Hour.” “I also don’t understand why he didn’t take that fight. I would have taken it. Man, this sport moves fast. This sport moves very fast.

“June 1, you’re going to see the lightweight title (fight) happen, and then a couple weeks later, you’re going to see the biggest fight (Chandler vs. McGregor), a fight that’s way bigger than that happen, and both guys can make lightweight. The sport moves fast, so you’ve got to take your opportunities and you’ve got to pounce on them.”

Chandler (23-8 MMA, 2-3 UFC) knows it sounds ironic coming from him after a long wait for his fight against Conor McGregor to have a date but insists he wasn’t offered a single fight in the meantime. Chandler will face McGregor (22-6 MMA, 10-4 UFC) in a welterweight bout at UFC 303 (pay-per-view, ESPN, ESPN+) June 29 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 302.

Arman Tsarukyan says UFC 300 judge apologized for scoring fight in Charles Oliveira’s favor

Arman Tsarukyan says the one judge who scored his fight at UFC 300 against him admitted he was wrong.

[autotag]Arman Tsarukyan[/autotag] says the one judge who scored his fight at UFC 300 against him admitted he was wrong.

Tsarukyan (22-3 MMA, 9-2 UFC) defeated former champion [autotag]Charles Oliveira[/autotag] (34-10 MMA, 22-10 UFC) by split decision on Saturday’s main card at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. He was puzzled by the outcome.

Both judge Adalaide Byrd and Ron McCarthy gave Tsarukyan Rounds 2 and 3, but it was judge Mike Bell who scored Rounds 1 and 3 for Oliveira, which resulted in a split decision. Tsarukyan said that Bell acknowledged he made a mistake by awarding Oliveira the final frame.

“Yesterday with (Ariel) Helwani, I talked to referee (judge), he did the mistake on the third round because he gave to Oliveira,” Tsarukyan said in an interview with Daniel Cormier. “My coach talked to him. He called my coach and said ‘Sorry, yeah, you were right. I wasn’t give to Oliveira.’ So, he said apologize too for that.”

Tsarukyan, who turned down a short-notice opportunity to challenge UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev, said a loss would have been devastating for him.

“If I lose this fight, I would kill him, yeah,” Tsarukyan said. “He’s going to kill my career, you know? I’ve been training like 10 years non-stop, you know? And like, everyday, like, think about the fight, cut weight, train, like a lot of surgeries, trauma, drama.

“I don’t know, all things together, and, like, some judge, like maybe he was watching his phone. But like, now we’re good. Thank you for that. He said, ‘I understood I was wrong for that.'”

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 300.

Why Arman Tsarukyan finds Charles Oliveira ‘more dangerous’ than UFC champ Islam Makhachev

Arman Tsarukyan believes Charles Oliveira is “more dangerous” than current champion Islam Makhachev. The No. 1 contender explains.

LAS VEGAS – Current UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev is not the most dangerous fight in the division, according to No. 1 contender in wait [autotag]Arman Tsarukyan[/autotag].

Armenia’s Tsarukyan (22-3 MMA, 9-2 UFC) believes former champion Charles Oliveira, who he defeated by split decision on the UFC 300 main card, has something over the current titleholder.

“Charles is more dangerous because if he knows very well jiu-jitsu, so it’s like so dangerous for me because if you get that position where he’s good, he can choke you out, and that’s it,” Tsarukyan told reporters at a post-fight news conference. “Like I got in the first round, it was super tight choke. If I didn’t know how to escape from there, maybe I could sleep and lose that fight.”

Makhachev submitted Oliveira for the vacant lightweight title at UFC 280. Oliveira entered that fight on an 11-fight winning streak and would have entered as champion if it wasn’t for missing weight by a half-pound against Justin Gaethje at UFC 274, forcing his title to be vacated.

The margin for error at the top of the lightweight division is razor-thin, which is why the 155-pound title fights are typically the most intriguing in the sport. Tsarukyan, who has shared the cage now with both Oliveira and Makhachev, believes they are very close to one another.

“He’s super strong,” Tsarukyan said about Oliveira. “His punch is very strong too. He knocked out a lot of people, he choked a lot of people. He has the most finishes in our division. He’s one of the best. If you’re going to compare him and Islam, they’re on the same level.”

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Skill for skill, Oliveira is still a top threat, according to Tsarukyan. Beyond his abilities inside the cage, Armenia’s new No. 1 contender for the lightweight title heaped more praise on Oliveira after their fight.

“He’s one of the humble guys in our division, that’s why people like him a lot,” Tsarukyan said. “He’s very appreciated guy. I was thinking he’s going to right away jump on me, like he’s not going to shake my hand, but he did. He’s so nice guy, good fighter, former champion, beat a lot of fighters. It was super exciting to fight with him.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 300.

Fan apologizes for provoking Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 300, says he won’t take legal action for punch

Dana White said after UFC 300 that he was worried about the company facing legal action, but he apparently can rest easy.

Dana White said after UFC 300 that he was worried about the company facing legal action from the fan involved in an altercation with [autotag]Arman Tsarukyan[/autotag], but the UFC boss apparently can rest easy.

That’s because the fan, identified as Obed Ardon, told Bloody Elbow on Monday that he does not intend to file a lawsuit against the UFC in the wake of the incident.

“I will not sue. That never crossed my mind,” Ardon said. “My first thought was I hope I don’t get kicked out.”

The incident, which could be seen on the UFC 300 pay-per-view broadcast, occurred during Tsarukyan’s walkout. As he was walking to the cage at T-Mobile flanked by security and Nevada Athletic Commission officials, Tsarukyan stopped to turn to his left and throw a punch into the crowd.

Ardon said Tsarukyan’s punch missed the mark and explained what happened while also expressing remorse for his actions.

“I’d like to apologize to Arman for provoking him by flipping him off,” Ardon said. “I was buzzing all day, and the moment got to me. It was my first time attending a live UFC event, and it was absolutely incredible. I’m glad the incident wasn’t as bad as it could have been.

“I do want to make clear that I didn’t pull him towards me, yell out offensive words or anything of that nature. I flipped him off, nothing else. Congrats to Arman on a great performance and best of luck to him against whoever he fights for the title.”

Tsarukyan went on to score a close split decision victory against former champion Charles Oliveira at UFC 300, which could set him up for a title shot after the upcoming matchup between champ Islam Makhachev and Dustin Poirier on June 1 at UFC 302.

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 300.

Spinning Back Clique REPLAY: UFC 300 review, Holloway wins BMF title, Makhachev & McGregor return, more

On “Spinning Back Clique,” our panel discusses the fallout of UFC 300 including, Holloway’s BMF win, McGregor’s return, and more.

Check out this week’s “Spinning Back Clique,” MMA Junkie’s weekly live show that takes a spin through the biggest topics in mixed martial arts.

This week’s panel of Brian “Goze” Garcia, Mike Bohn and Danny Segura will join host “Gorgeous” George Garcia live at 11:30 a.m. ET (8:30 a.m. PT) to discuss and debate everything around UFC 300:

  • The UFC reached its 300th pay-per-view event, a big milestone for the Las Vegas-based promotion. Where does this massive event rank in UFC history? On paper, it was a great card, and it delivered as promised.
  • [autotag]Max Holloway[/autotag] arguably made the biggest statement on Saturday night. The former UFC featherweight champion knocked out [autotag]Justin Gaethje[/autotag] in brutal fashion with one second remaining in the fight for the BMF title. So what’s next for Holloway? Should he stay at 155 pounds or go back to 145? Holloway has many options after this career-defining win.
  • On top of Holloway’s win, there were several other important lightweight bouts, as well as other lightweight bookings announced: [autotag]Arman Tsarukyan[/autotag] defeated former champion [autotag]Charles Oliveira[/autotag], [autotag]Renato Moicano[/autotag] stopped Jalin Turner and [autotag]Bobby Green[/autotag] picked apart Jim Miller. Additionally, the [autotag]Islam Makhachev[/autotag] title defense vs. [autotag]Dutin Poirier[/autotag] was made official, along with the return of [autotag]Conor McGregor[/autotag], who faces lightweight standout [autotag]Michael Chandler[/autotag] in a welterweight bout. Big news and results that heavily impact the UFC lightweight division.
  • In the main event of UFC 300, [autotag]Alex Pereira[/autotag] successfully defended his light heavyweight belt for the very first time, knocking out [autotag]Jamahal Hill[/autotag]. It was a huge win for the Brazilian, who requested a heavyweight fight in a quick turnaround at UFC 301 in Brazil next month.
  • In the other undisputed title fight, [autotag]Zhang Weili[/autotag] defended her UFC strawweight belt against fellow Chinese fighter [autotag]Yan Xiaonan[/autotag]. It was a solid showing by Weili, who logged the second title defense of her second championship reign.
  • [autotag]Kayla Harrison[/autotag] made a huge splash on Saturday night. In a dominant showing, she submitted former champion [autotag]Holly Holm[/autotag], a victory that even caught the attention of former two-division UFC champion [autotag]Amanda Nunes[/autotag]. What’s next for Harrison? Is she a future UFC champion? We unpack it all.
  • Lastly, several other big storylines went down at UFC 300. The panel quickly reviews [autotag]Aljamain Sterling[/autotag]’s featherweight debut, [autotag]Bo Nickal[/autotag]’s submission win, [autotag]Diego Lopes[/autotag]’ most recent first-round finish and more.

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UFC 300’s Arman Tsarukyan confident he’ll get title shot with Charles Oliveira win: ‘Dana White said’

Arman Tsarukyan believes he’ll get a title shot if victorious over Charles Oliveira at Saturday’s UFC 300.

LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Arman Tsarukyan[/autotag] is confident he’ll soon fight for the UFC lightweight title if he gets his hand raised on Saturday night.

Tsarukyan (21-3 MMA, 8-2 UFC) takes on former lightweight champion Charles Oliveira (34-9 MMA, 22-9 UFC) on the main card of UFC 300, which goes down at t T-Mobile Arena and streams on pay-per-view.

The promotion has labeled this fight a title eliminator bout, but some think Dustin Poirier, or the winner of the BMF title fight between Justin Gaethje and Max Holloway, could potentially get next.

Tsarukyan doesn’t see that happening.

“Yeah, definitely,” Tsarukyan said when asked at Wednesday’s UFC 300 media day if he expects a title shot with a win. “Dana White said whoever wins this one is going to fight for the title, and then I’m next.”

Tsarukyan is grateful for the position that he finds himself in. Not only is he fighting for a shot at champion Islam Makhachev, but also on a historic event.

“It’s a dream come true,” Tsarukyan said. “I’m so excited to be in UFC 300 and be fighting for the No. 1 contender.”

As far as the fight itself, Oliveira hasn’t been too happy with some of Tsarukyan’s comments in the lead-up. Tsarukyan says it’s not personal and it’s just part of the game.

“I mean, I have to talk about him because he doesn’t talk about me, so I have to talk about him,” Tsarukyan said. “I want to get people to watch this fight more, so I have to say something about him. I’m just trying to get more fans to watch this fight.”

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 300.