Dana White has revealed that UFC’s number-two-ranked lightweight, Arman Tsarukyan (23-3), has been confirmed as the official backup for the UFC Freedom 250 championship main event on June 14.
The confirmation marks a significant turnaround in Dana’s relationship with Tsarukyan: “Arman is the backup for the White House fight. So, if anything happens to that fight, Arman’s in there. So there you go,” White said.
Tsarukyan fell out of Dana’s good graces in January 2025 after he pulled out of the UFC 311 main event against Islam Mackhachev on a day’s notice, a move that caused considerable frustration within the promotion. His unnecessary headbutt to Dan Hooker during their weigh-in face-off in November 2025 didn’t help his case either, with White confirming that the incident “100%” influenced his title snub.
Arman hasn’t fought in the UFC since his round 2 stoppage victory over Hooker, however, he’s had multiple wrestling and grappling matches outside the Octagon to keep active and hone his mat skills, and will be ready to step into the main event at the UFC’s historic White House show should lightweight champion Ilia Topuria or interim-champ Justin Gaethje need to withdraw.