Arman Tsarukyan Willing to Be Backup Fighter for UFC 317, UFC 318 Main Events

Arman Tsarukyan is making himself available in case the Ultimate Fighting Championship needs him.

The promotion’s summer calender features prominent lightweight bouts atop both UFC 317 (Ilia Topuria vs. Charles Oliveira ) and UFC 318 (Dustin Poirier vs. Max Holloway). Tsarukyan, who hasn’t fought since April 2024, is willing to serve as a backup fighter for either headlining bout.

“I am not sure if that’s needed, but if they offer me that, I will definitely back it up,” Tsarukyan said of the UFC 317 featured bout following his victory over Patricky Freire in a grappling match. “I will be ready. I am flying back to the U.S. now and will be staying there in case anyone is injured and [if] the UFC asks me if I am ready, I will say yes.”

Tsarukyan defeated Oliveira at UFC 300 to become the lightweight division’s No. 1 contender. However, he lost his opportunity when he pulled out of a proposed booking against Islam Makhachev at UFC 311 due to a back injury. With Makhachev vacating the belt, Topuria and Oliveira will vie for the vacant 155-pound strap during International Fight Week.

If he isn’t needed there, Tsarukyan is also ready to step up at UFC 318, where Poirier will make his final Octagon appearance in a rematch against Holloway in New Orleans on July 19. Tsarukyan knows his reputation might need some repairing after pulling out of UFC 311, and he’s willing to do wait it takes to improve that perception.

“Absolutely positive [I’d say yes],” Tsarukyan said. “I need to take chances now. I got injured and this injury got misinterpreted. The doctor didn’t let everybody know what really happened, so some people still think I ducked that fight.

“Now I just need to get back on track, so I’m going to do whatever the UFC tells me to do.”