Once again, Arman Tsarukyan finds himself pushed to the sidelines. A fighter suspended between undeniable skill and backstage calculations. After submitting Dan Hooker at UFC Qatar, the path to a title shot seemed clear — almost guaranteed.
But inside the UFC, worth is not measured by performance alone.
Instead, Dana White announced an interim title clash at UFC 324 between Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett, leaving Tsarukyan watching from the shadows, once more.
For the Armenian, this decision is no coincidence. He interprets it as a strategic move to build Pimblett into a marketable superstar — a brand, not just a fighter. His frustration spilled into raw, aggressive language. Not just anger… but a sense of betrayal.
“I can beat them all. Paddy, Justin, Ilia — it’s easy.”
These words reflect more than confidence. They reveal a man who feels excluded from a system that increasingly favors popularity over legitimacy.
In response, Tsarukyan alters his ambitions. The undisputed title fades into the distance. His new target becomes the “BMF” belt — a different path back into the spotlight.
In response, Tsarukyan shared a short message on social media, marked by confusion and disbelief, revealing more shock than anger.
make it make sense 🤦🏻♂️
— Arman Tsarukyan UFC (@ArmanUfc) November 28, 2025
Yet even that avenue appears uncertain, as the promotion eyes a rematch between Max Holloway and Charles Oliveira instead.
Tsarukyan’s situation raises a deeper question about today’s UFC:
Is greatness still defined by victory… or by visibility?
In modern combat sports, the octagon is only part of the battlefield. The real war happens behind cameras, in boardrooms, in metrics and marketing.
And perhaps, this is the most difficult fight Arman Tsarukyan has ever faced.
Not against a man.
But against an entire system.
