Arman Tsarukyan is open to fighting Dustin Poirier next, despite both training at American Top Team, following his win over Beneil Dariush, and hopes to get a title fight, though he would prefer to fight Justin Gaethje or Charles Oliveira.
Arman Tsarukyan’s got his sights set on Dustin Poirier. Even though they’re both training at American Top Team, he’s open to the challenge.
Tsarukyan’s recent win over Beneil Dariush was a career highlight. He knocked him out in 64 seconds at UFC Austin’s main event, closing out 2023 with a bang. The lightweight title scene is a bit of a mess right now. Charles Oliveira and Justin Gaethje are both waiting for a shot at champion Islam Makhachev. But Tsarukyan’s hoping his win over Dariush was impressive enough to leapfrog him to the front of the queue.
“Islam had the same situation,” Tsarukyan mentioned on The MMA Hour. He pointed out that Islam hadn’t beaten top-five fighters before his title fight. Tsarukyan’s hoping he’ll be ranked No. 4 soon. He’s eagerly waiting for a call from his manager, hoping to hear that he’s next in line for the title. That’d be the dream scenario for him.
He’s got some thoughts on Oliveira too. “He pulled out from the last fight, beat Dariush, and lost to Islam,” Tsarukyan said. He’s pretty sure Oliveira’s gonna lose to Islam again. If people want to see that, fine. But if they want fresh blood, a new generation fighter, they should let him in the ring. He’s confident he can give Islam the fight of his life.
Tsarukyan and Makhachev have history. They faced off at UFC Saint Petersburg in 2019. It was Tsarukyan’s UFC debut, and he stepped in at short notice. Makhachev won, but Tsarukyan made an impression, especially considering he was only 22 at the time.
But a rematch with Makhachev might have to wait. UFC CEO Dana White has said Oliveira’s next in line for a shot at Makhachev. They’re rumored to be squaring off at an upcoming card in Saudi Arabia in March. That leaves Tsarukyan with few options. One of those is his American Top Team teammate, Dustin Poirier. Not his first choice, but if the UFC wants it, he’ll take the fight.
“Yes, I would, but honestly, I don’t want to fight him,” Tsarukyan admitted. He pointed out that Poirier lost his last fight. He doesn’t see the point in fighting him. If he beats Poirier, people will just say, “Oh, he just lost his last fight. How do you want to fight for the title?” He needs a win that’ll guarantee him a title fight. Like Oliveira or Gaethje. If Oliveira thinks he’s the No. 1 contender and he’s got a fight, Tsarukyan’s ready to prove who’s really No. 1.
“Poirier’s a legend. I respect him. He’s tough and he won the interim title. Big deal. He’s beaten a lot of good people and he’s a great fighter. Especially watching his fights is always exciting. But it doesn’t make sense to fight him. If I win, people will just say he lost to Gaethje. But if I beat Oliveira or Gaethje, I’m almost guaranteed a title fight,” Tsarukyan said.
American Top Team, one of the world’s best and biggest gyms, has dealt with this issue before. ATT teammates Robbie Lawler and Tyron Woodley fought each other for the welterweight title at UFC 201. The legendary feud between Jorge Masvidal and Colby Covington started when they were training partners at the gym. Tsarukyan says the gym’s big enough for both him and Poirier, but he’d rather fight current BMF champion Justin Gaethje.
“He has to take this fight,” Tsarukyan said. “Who does he want to fight? Maybe we can fight for the BMF title? Why not? He can make money, I can make money. He’s a confident guy. He should take this fight, make money, and give me that belt. I want two belts.”
But that might not happen. Gaethje won the BMF title by knocking out Poirier at UFC 291 in July. He’s said he’s waiting for his shot at the lightweight title. But if the UFC forces his hand, Tsarukyan has a plan.
“I’d like to fight at UFC 300. I think it’s going to be the biggest card in the past five years,” Tsarukyan said. “It’s kind of a dream. When I was young, I watched Gegard Mousasi — also Armenian — fight at UFC 200. The canvas was yellow. I thought, ‘Oh my god, so cool.’ I can imagine fighting at UFC 300, then UFC 400. I’m young. I just turned 27. I can fight in 300, 400, maybe even 450.”