Arman Targeting Rematch

No. 2-ranked lightweight Arman Tsarukyan’s (23-3) team is not waiting for Justin Gaethje (28-5) to return, with his manager Sayat Abdrakhmanov floating a rematch with Charles Oliveira (37-11, 1 NC) as the most attractive option to keep the contender active.

“Taking into account that Gaethje just fought and is unlikely to return to the octagon in the next six months and that Arman needs to stay active, the option with Oliveira is the most attractive,” Abdrakhmanov

Gaethje has ruled out fighting again in 2026 and received a 180-day medical suspension following his upset of Ilia Topuria at UFC Freedom 250 on June 14. While he has indicated he does not plan to retire, a title defence before 2027 appears unlikely.

Tsarukyan holds a split decision victory over Oliveira from 2024 in a fight at UFC 300. He has fought once since, submitting Dan Hooker in the second round last November, while staying busy under the Real American Freestyle banner.