Arman Tsarukyan Set For Freestyle Wrestling Return
Top-ranked UFC lightweight Arman Tsarukyan has signed on for his second freestyle wrestling appearance at RAF06 on February 28, as he will face Georgio Poullas.
Tsarukyan is returning to the Real American Freestyle mats following a masterclass performance on January 10, where he beat former PFL champion and four-time All-American Lance Palmer with a 10-0 technical fall. Tsarukyan is using these grappling matches to maintain his conditioning, as he struggles to secure a UFC lightweight title shot.
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This move follows a humble public apology from Tsarukyan directed at Dana White and Hunter Campbell. The Armenian expressed deep regret for a string of behavioral issues—most notably his headbutt of Dan Hooker during the UFC Qatar ceremonial weigh-ins—which the UFC CEO cited as the primary reason Tsarukyan was bypassed for the recent interim title opportunity.
“Dana and Hunter, forgive me. Give me title fight. I’ll be a good boy; I am a good boy. I’m not gonna hit anybody anymore… For the weight cut, or the punching back, or the headbutting anybody, it’ll never happen again. But I’m going to fight, if someone tries to slap me, what can I do? I’ve got to slap him back, right?,” Tsarukyan said
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Elsewhere, UFC featherweight Champion Alexander Volkanovski has expressed interest in a title defense against Arman provided the latter can make 145.
Tsarukyan hinted at the fight after his nutrition team had already “done the math” to confirm a move to featherweight is physically possible. Tsarukyan, who hasn’t competed at 145 pounds since 2017, suggested the move as an alternative if the UFC continues to delay his lightweight title shot.
Meanwhile, Volkanovski must first beat Diego Lopes at UFC 325 this Saturday. Volkanovski reclaimed the title last year with a unanimous decision victory over Lopes at UFC 314 for the vacant belt. If Volk wins, he has welcomed the idea of facing Tsarukyan. However, there are other contenders waiting in the wings.
Volk’s Mindset
Movsar Evloev, the undefeated #1 contender at 145 pounds, was widely expected to be Volkanovski’s opponent in Sydney. Many believe Evloev has already earned his shot. Meanwhile, Tsarukyan admitted that the move to 145 is his “Plan B.” His primary goal remains a 155-pound clash with newly crowned interim champion Justin Gaethje or undisputed champ Ilia Topuria.
“Whatever comes my way, I’ll be happy. But Movsar, Lerone (Murphy) – incredible records, or even Arman if he was to come down, yeah, that’s a challenge. So that’ll be definitely something. I feel like my takedown defense is pretty solid, so that’ll definitely be a fun one,” Volkanovski said
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