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 Gets Bashed By Fellow Lightweight After Withdrawal From UFC 311

The withdrawal left many, including a top UFC lightweight, questioning the circumstances around Tsarukyan's decision!

The UFC lightweight division has always been a shark tank of elite fighters. With intense rivalries, this weight class never fails to keep fans on the edge of their seats. The latest controversy involves rising star Arman Tsarukyan, who was set for the biggest fight of his career at UFC 311 against champion Islam Makhachev. But sometimes, in combat sports, things don’t go according to plan.

In what turned out to be a massive disappointment for fight fans, Arman Tsarukyan had to withdraw from his title shot just one day before the event due to a back injury. The withdrawal left the UFC scrambling for a replacement and, more importantly, left many, including a top UFC lightweight, questioning the circumstances around Tsarukyan’s decision.

Also Read: Islam Makhachev Had A “Gladiator” Moment After Hearing Of Arman Tsarukyan’s Pullout From UFC 311

Dan Hooker Doesn’t Appreciate Arman Tsarukyan’s Withdrawal From UFC 311

Dan Hooker has never been one to hold his tongue. He took particular issue with the situation. The sixth-ranked lightweight didn’t just question Arman Tsarukyan’s withdrawal – he went for the jugular. Appearing on Submission Radio, Hooker pointed out how bizarre it was to suffer such a severe injury during what should have been a relatively calm period before the fight. The New Zealand native, known for his gritty performances and warrior mentality, seemed particularly irked by the timing of it all.

“It must be a pretty severe injury. But, like, your world title is your absolutely everything. I don’t know how you would pass up on that opportunity. Yeah, like, I obviously saw Dana White just say that he ain’t getting the title shot next and he’s going to have to work his way back up to the belt, you know. Daddy can’t buy you a backbone, can he?”

Hooker’s stinging jab was aimed at Arman Tsarukyan’s recent comments about his wealthy background. Hooker referenced Tsarukyan’s media day revelation about his father’s financial status.

The comment hit hard, especially considering the stakes involved. A UFC championship opportunity isn’t something that comes around often, regardless of your bank account.

The fallout from this withdrawal seems to be more severe than usual. UFC president Dana White has already declared that Arman Tsarukyan won’t get an immediate title shot upon his return. This means that he will need to work his way back up the ladder.

It’s a tough break for the Armenian-Russian fighter who had built significant momentum with impressive victories leading up to this opportunity.

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

Arman Tsarukyan

Dan Hooker

Islam Makhachev

UFC 311

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!