Is Arman Tsarukyan facing unjust treatment from the UFC? Jon Anik weighs in on the situation.
In a recent discussion, Jon Anik openly admitted that he lacks comprehensive knowledge of the circumstances surrounding Arman Tsarukyan's situation at UFC 311 nearly a year ago. Nevertheless, one thing is clear: the lightweight contender is still feeling the repercussions of those events.
Tsarukyan, with an impressive record of 23 wins and 3 losses (10-2 in the UFC), was set to fight the then-champion Islam Makhachev for the title as the main event of the night. However, on the day of the weigh-in, Tsarukyan had to withdraw due to a reported back injury that left him unable to compete or make weight. Yet, there are others who suggest that the issue stemmed more from weight management problems rather than an actual injury.
As a result, Makhachev ended up facing Renato Moicano, who stepped in as a last-minute replacement. Meanwhile, Tsarukyan found himself facing significant backlash from the UFC officials. Since that incident, he has only fought once, achieving a notable victory over Dan Hooker via submission at UFC Fight Night 265 in November. Following this, he was overlooked for a shot at the interim title at UFC 324 scheduled for January 24, which will instead feature Justin Gaethje squaring off against Paddy Pimblett.
Anik, who has been the lead commentator for UFC broadcasts for more than a decade, believes that the most skilled lightweight fighter currently deserves a chance to validate his abilities. "With all due respect to Ilia Topuria, Justin Gaethje, and Paddy Pimblett, I think many fans would concur that Arman Tsarukyan appears to be the most well-rounded and capable lightweight in the division," Anik stated during his appearance on the "JAXXON PODCAST." He elaborated, "However, only a select few—like Hunter Campbell and Dana White—truly understand what transpired before UFC 311. Depending on whom you talk to, the reasons for Tsarukyan's withdrawal could either be linked to weight issues or a genuine injury.
"Regardless of the true story, the narrative continues to unfold, and the victory against Dan Hooker no longer served as a pathway to title contention. Life can be unjust, and I genuinely believe he is experiencing an unfair situation. But the real extent of how he may have crossed paths with Dana White back in January is known only to those within the organization."
Based on his limited perspective, Anik feels that Tsarukyan should be positioned as the next fighter in line for a title shot. Whether this opportunity materializes remains uncertain, especially given the complexities of the lightweight division.
Tsarukyan is currently at odds with the reigning champion, Topuria, who is taking a break from competition for personal reasons. If Topuria makes a return by mid-2026, he is expected to unify titles with the winner of the Gaethje versus Pimblett matchup, potentially leaving Tsarukyan again without a clear path to a title shot and forcing him to "work his way back up to a title shot."
So, what do you think? Is Tsarukyan being treated unfairly by the UFC, or are the decisions made justified? Join the conversation and share your thoughts in the comments!
