Tsarukyan accuses Gaethje of ducking him as UFC lightweight title picture stalls

Arman Tsarukyan has accused UFC lightweight champion Justin Gaethje of ducking a title fight, saying the promotion will need to offer a substantial payday to persuade Gaethje to defend the 155-pound belt — or watch him retire instead.

Tsarukyan made the comments during an interview with Helen Yee ahead of his Real American Freestyle 14 appearance against Dillon Danis. The Armenian contender, now 24-3, bolstered his title credentials with a first-round knockout of Mauricio Ruffy at UFC 331 in September, a result that placed him firmly at the front of the lightweight queue.

“Someone is trying to duck me,” Tsarukyan said. “It’s Justin Gaethje. Now he’s talking about retirement. Either UFC is going to pay him so much money that he’s going to fight, or he’s just going to retire.”

Gaethje, 28-5, captured the lightweight title at UFC Freedom 250 in June but has since floated the idea of retirement in public comments, leaving the division’s title picture in a state of uncertainty. Tsarukyan’s frustration is understandable given the timing: a dominant stoppage win would ordinarily fast-track a contender to a championship bout, yet no fight has been formalised.

Tsarukyan said he has been told by the UFC to expect clarity on his next assignment before the month is out. “They told me they’re going to let me know at the end of November,” he said.

Whether that update brings a confirmed title shot against Gaethje, a mandatory interim bout, or a different opponent entirely remains to be seen. For now, Tsarukyan is keeping himself active on the independent circuit while the promotion weighs its options at 155 pounds.