Volkanovski: Tsarukyan hurt title chances skipping UFC backup role

Alexander Volkanovski believes Arman Tsarukyan made a costly mistake by declining to weigh in as the backup fighter for the UFC Freedom 250 main event at the White House last weekend.

Tsarukyan had been designated as the standby for the lightweight title bout between Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje but opted against making weight, choosing instead to compete against Tony Ferguson at RAF 10. The Armenian had previously stated he would only fulfill backup duties if he saw a legitimate chance of stepping in. Diego Lopes, who was already booked for a featherweight matchup with Steve Garcia on the card, weighed in as the alternate instead.

Company men get rewarded in the UFC

Speaking on the Bussin With the Boys podcast, per Sherdog, Volkanovski said Tsarukyan's decision could hinder his path to a title shot. "So, Arman not doing that I think is gonna hurt him," the featherweight champion said. "The UFC, they like to favor you if you do them a favor and be company man, they will look after you."

Volkanovski pointed to Lopes as proof the promotion rewards fighters who accept short-notice opportunities. The Brazilian has appeared on three marquee events — UFC 300, Noche UFC at the Sphere, and UFC Freedom 250 — and received two title shots against Volkanovski within nine months despite losing both.

The former pound-for-pound king practiced what he preaches, taking a rematch with Islam Makhachev on 12 days' notice in 2023. Tsarukyan, meanwhile, has been waiting for a title opportunity since withdrawing from a scheduled championship fight against Makhachev last year. His decision to skip the White House backup slot is unlikely to expedite that shot.

Reported via:

• Sherdog — Alexander Volkanovski: Tsarukyan hurt himself by not weighing in at UFC White House