Arman Tsarukyan: Justin Gaethje must fight me or ‘leave the title’

Arman Tsarukyan delivered an emphatic statement at UFC 331, stopping Mauricio Ruffy in the first round and immediately setting his sights on current lightweight champion Justin Gaethje. The Armenian contender believes he has earned an undeniable title shot and is growing impatient with what he perceives as the champion's reluctance to face him.

Tsarukyan finished Ruffy with a pair of vicious elbows late in the opening round, a performance that earned him a Performance of the Night bonus and solidified his position as the UFC's No. 1 contender at 155 pounds. At the post-fight press conference, he expressed frustration with Gaethje's silence, claiming the reigning champion is dodging him out of fear.

"He never says my name, so he's scared," Tsarukyan stated. "He knows he wanted Ruffy to knock me out, so it means he's trying to avoid me." The 24-3 fighter believes Gaethje will attempt to justify demanding higher pay, call out other opponents like Ilia Topuria, or retire rather than accept the matchup.

Undeterred, Tsarukyan issued an ultimatum: Gaethje must either fight him or vacate the title to give younger contenders their shot. Tsarukyan's confidence stems partly from his recent resume—he was originally scheduled to challenge then-champion Islam Makhachev in early 2025 but withdrew hours before weigh-ins, drawing promotion criticism. Since then, he has posted two finishes, reviving his title aspirations and raising his stock considerably.