Gaethje Backs UFC's Tsarukyan Title Shot Delay

Justin Gaethje believes Arman Tsarukyan deserves scrutiny over his path back to a lightweight title shot.

The newly-crowned UFC lightweight champion told the MightyCast podcast that Tsarukyan's last-minute withdrawal from his scheduled bout against Islam Makhachev at UFC 311 explains the promotion's reluctance to fast-track him back into a title fight. "He's also been doing so much to not fight for the title," Gaethje said, per MMA Junkie. "Come on, we all make our own bed. He was going to fight Islam Makhachev for the belt, and he dropped out the night before."

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Tsarukyan Faces Ruffy At UFC 331

Tsarukyan pulled out of the Makhachev fight just hours before UFC 311 due to injury. He has fought once since that withdrawal, submitting Dan Hooker at UFC Qatar to return to the win column. The Armenian contender now meets Mauricio Ruffy later this month at UFC 331 in what is being positioned as a number one contender eliminator.

Gaethje shocked the MMA world by finishing Ilia Topuria via TKO at UFC Freedom 250 earlier this year, handing the defending featherweight champion his first career loss. The 40-year-old has not confirmed whether he will defend the lightweight strap or retire. If he does return, the Tsarukyan-Ruffy winner is the likeliest opponent, though a rematch with Topuria remains on the table.

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Tsarukyan's victory over Ruffy would mark his second win since the Makhachev withdrawal, but Gaethje's comments suggest the champion understands why the UFC remains cautious about committing to a title shot. UFC 331 takes place later in September with the lightweight picture hanging in the balance.

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• BJPenn — Justin Gaethje surprisingly supports Arman Tsarukyan’s long wait for UFC title shot