Apr 13, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Arman Tsarukyan (blue gloves) reacts after defeating Charles Oliveira (not pictured) during UFC 300 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

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Arman Tsarukyan Wants This Fighter After Being Snubbed For The UFC Interim Lightweight Title

Getting passed over for a title shot a fighter has clearly earned has to be one of the most frustrating experiences in professional fighting. They do everything right, beat the opponents put in front of them, and then watch the promotion give someone else the opportunity. Politics, popularity, and marketability often matter more than pure merit in combat sports. That’s just the harsh reality fighters face. Arman Tsarukyan faces this reality.

The #1 contender thought he was next in line for lightweight gold after his dominant stoppage of Dan Hooker at UFC Qatar. The performance was clinical and impressive, showcasing exactly why he’s been climbing the rankings steadily. But then Ilia Topuria announced he wouldn’t fight until spring 2026, and the UFC decided to create an interim title instead, and he is not included.

Arman Tsarukyan Wants This Fighter Next

The UFC booked Justin Gaethje vs Paddy Pimblett for the interim lightweight championship at UFC 324 in January. That matchup makes sense from an entertainment and promotional standpoint. Both fighters have name recognition and exciting styles. But it completely ignores Tsarukyan’s legitimate claim to a title shot based on his recent performances and ranking position.

Tsarukyan acknowledged the business side of things in a recent ESPN interview, saying it’s just business at the end of the day. He maintains confidence that everyone knows he’ll beat everybody eventually, it’s just a matter of time.

“It’s a business. At the end of the day, I have the same goal. Everybody knows that I will beat everybody and it’s just [a matter of] time. I hope they give me the BMF title at least. What are they going to give me? Who do we have in our division to fight if it’s not Holloway?”

Arman Tsarukyan wants to fight Max Holloway for the BMF title 👀

"It's a business. At the end of the day, I have the same goal. Everybody knows that I will beat everybody and it's just [a matter of] time.

I hope they give me the BMF title at least. What are they going to give… pic.twitter.com/5fWjRsJmz6
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) November 29, 2025

He wants the BMF title fight against Max Holloway, asking what else they’re going to give him and who’s left in the division to fight if not Holloway. That’s actually a brilliant move because the BMF belt carries significant prestige and recognition even if it’s not a traditional championship.

Holloway just came off a strong victory over Dustin Poirier at UFC 318, proving he’s still one of the most dangerous and respected fighters in the lightweight division. He’s also one of the most active and willing competitors, rarely turning down fights or sitting on the sidelines waiting for perfect opportunities. A fight between Arman Tsarukyan and Holloway would be absolutely fantastic for fans and meaningful for both fighters’ careers.

(Image Credit: Mark J. Rebilas – Imagn Images)

Arman Tsarukyan

Max Holloway

Zaid Quraishi

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I am a dedicated MMA and Boxing content writer at The Playoffs. I was instantly hooked on MMA after watching the fight between Lyoto Machida vs. Gegard Mousasi back in 2014, and since then, i have been an avid writer with a deep love for the sport and its techniques, providing readers with a thorough understanding of the sport. My favorite aspect of working at The Playoffs is the creative freedom it provides. The diverse range of topics, from listicles and SEO to news articles, keeps me engaged and motivates me to continuously improve my skills! I aim to capture the excitement of the combat sports world in my writing, acting as the middleman between fighters and their die-hard fans. It is kind of like a referee, but with words!