Tsarukyan open to Volkanovski fight but only if UFC lightweight title is on the line

Arman Tsarukyan has made clear he has no interest in fighting Alexander Volkanovski unless the UFC lightweight title is at stake, responding to the featherweight champion’s public overture with a pointed reminder of how Volkanovski’s last lightweight campaign ended.

Volkanovski (29-4) successfully defended his featherweight belt with a technical knockout over Movsar Evloev at UFC 333 in Abu Dhabi, then signalled his desire to return to lightweight. With champion Justin Gaethje’s future in doubt, Volkanovski offered to face Tsarukyan (24-3) for the vacant title should Gaethje retire.

Tsarukyan, known as “The Batman”, said the belt matters more to him than the identity of his opponent. “I’m ready for everyone,” he told Yavuz Saynomo. “For me, it doesn’t matter who I’m gonna fight; I just want to fight for the title.”

Volkanovski had expressed confidence that he could neutralise Tsarukyan’s wrestling and avoid being taken down. Tsarukyan was unimpressed, pointing to the Australian’s knockout defeat to lightweight champion Islam Makhachev as a rebuttal. “He said Islam Makhachev cannot knock him out, too,” Tsarukyan added.

Volkanovski has challenged Makhachev for the lightweight title twice. He dropped their first meeting by unanimous decision, then was finished in the rematch via a head kick and follow-up punches — the same outcome Tsarukyan was referencing.

Despite the back-and-forth, Tsarukyan’s primary focus remains on securing a title shot regardless of who stands across from him. “I have a title fight next,” he reiterated. “Either Justin Gaethje. If he is retired, someone else.”

The lightweight division’s immediate future hinges on Gaethje’s decision. If the champion steps away, a Tsarukyan-Volkanovski clash for the vacant belt becomes a credible option — provided Tsarukyan’s one condition is met.