BREAKING: UFC lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan is urgently calling for a BMF title fight against Max Holloway after being overlooked for an interim lightweight title bout next month. The UFC’s decision to feature Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett in the main event of UFC 324 on January 24, 2026, in Las Vegas, has left Tsarukyan frustrated, as he holds the No. 1 contender position at 155 pounds.
Tsarukyan (23-3) expressed his disappointment, stating it is “hard” to accept the UFC’s decision but emphasized he cannot wait for opportunities to arise. “It’s a business,” Tsarukyan told ESPN. “At the end of the day, I have the same goal. Everybody knows that I will beat everybody and it’s just [a matter of] time.” He added, “I hope they give me the BMF title at least. What are they going to give me? Who do we have in our division to fight if it’s not Holloway?”
The UFC’s interim title bout was created after undisputed champion Ilia Topuria announced a leave of absence for personal matters. Tsarukyan’s call for a fight with Holloway (27-8), who is coming off a dominant five-round victory over Dustin Poirier in July, highlights his desire to remain active in the sport.
Tsarukyan believes the UFC is prioritizing Pimblett (23-3) for promotional reasons and hopes Gaethje (26-5) will defeat him in January. “Justin, if you need the help, let me know and I’ll fly to you,” Tsarukyan said. “I want him to [beat] that bulls— guy. I hate him. He’s such a b—-. I don’t want to be [at UFC 324] because I’m going to fight with somebody. If I see Patty, I would like to slap him.”
As tensions rise, the stakes are high for the winner of the Gaethje-Pimblett matchup, who is expected to face Topuria later in 2026, according to UFC CEO Dana White. This means Tsarukyan could face a lengthy wait for his title shot. Despite this, the 29-year-old remains optimistic about his future. “That [Topuria] fight is going to happen for sure,” he asserted. “Everybody is saying, ‘Arman, Arman, Arman.’ Everybody knows it’s bulls—. The next champion is here.”
The fight landscape is rapidly changing, and Tsarukyan’s push for a BMF bout adds a new layer of intrigue as UFC 324 approaches. Fans are eagerly awaiting how this situation unfolds and whether Tsarukyan will get the opportunity he seeks.
