Arman Tsarukyan Claims ‘Title Shot Secured’ but Has Two Wrestling Matches Booked

Arman Tsarukyan says he’s “secured” a UFC lightweight title shot against champion Justin Gaethje, but has two Real American Freestyle (RAF) wrestling matches scheduled before the end of the year.

Number 2-ranked lightweight Tsarukyan knocked out Mauricio Ruffy with consecutive elbows in the first round at UFC 331 on September 19, extending his winning streak to six fights. He subsequently posted “Title shot secured” on X before calling out Gaethje.

“He never says my name, so he’s scared,” Tsarukyan said of the champion. “Either he’s gonna fight me or he’s gotta leave the title, give the opportunity for the young guys.”

Tsarukyan is scheduled to face Dillon Danis for the inaugural RAF Middleweight Crossover Championship on October 23 IN Las Vegas. Danis is 0-2 in RAF, with losses to Colby Covington and Khamzat Chimaev.

Tsarukyan will then compete at RAF’s Abu Dhabi debut on November 14, with his opponent yet to be announced.

UFC CEO Dana White indicated after Tsarukyan’s round 1 knockout win over Mauricio Ruffy at UFC 331, that he had improved his standing in the lightweight title picture, although Gaethje’s next opponent has not been confirmed.

In January 2205, Tsarukyan withdrew just days before his scheduled title fight against the then lightweight champ Islam Makhachev due to injury, reportedly leaving him in bad standing with the UFC, however due to Arman seemingly being back in the promotion’s good graces combined with his dominant win over Ruffy, it’s hard to deny that he is deserving of the next UFC lightweight title shot.