Arman Tsarukyan is paying a heavy price for pulling out of a title shot.
Tsarukyan was scheduled to challenge Islam Makhachev for the lightweight title earlier this year. However, Tsarukyan pulled out due to an injury, much to the chagrin of Dana White. As White had promised, Tsarukyan was denied the next shot when Makhachev vacated the title and moved up to welterweight. Former featherweight champ Ilia Topuria won the vacant title against Charles Oliveira.
Tsarukyan started rallying for a title shot against Topuria, who threatened to vacate his belt if forced to fight “Ahalkalakets” immediately.