Tsarukyan rules out UFC White House weigh-in due to wrestling commitment on same day

Arman Tsarukyan will skip the official backup weigh-in for UFC Freedom 250’s lightweight title fight, telling reporters he intends to honour his wrestling commitment at RAF 10 instead. The conflict arises because his scheduled wrestling match against Tony Ferguson on June 13 falls on the same day as the weigh-ins for the UFC White House card, where Ilia Topuria defends his lightweight title against interim champion Justin Gaethje on June 14.

Dana White had named Tsarukyan the official backup fighter for the Topuria–Gaethje bout, but the Armenian-Russian contender made clear where his priorities lie. “I’m booked until September already… I have wrestling match on June 13, we’ll see,” Tsarukyan said at a press event for his RAF 9 bout. “I am a backup, but everything is going good, two weeks left, I think they’re gonna fight. So, I’m gonna wait for my [title shot] chance.”

With no injuries reported in either camp and fewer than two weeks until fight night, Tsarukyan appears confident his services as backup will not be required, making the scheduling clash largely academic. When directly asked whether he planned to weigh in before the Ferguson wrestling match, he was unambiguous: he will only compete at RAF.

The situation is the latest chapter in a frustrating stretch for Tsarukyan (23-3). He was removed from a scheduled lightweight title fight against Islam Makhachev last year after pulling out, a decision that damaged his standing with UFC management. He appeared to rebuild his case with a finish of Dan Hooker in November, but was passed over again when the promotion opted to book an interim title fight — which Gaethje won over Paddy Pimblett — rather than give Tsarukyan the shot many felt he had earned.

With his calendar reportedly full through September and no title opportunity on the immediate horizon, Tsarukyan has leaned into his wrestling career to stay active and competitive. Whether his willingness to sidestep UFC backup duties further complicates his relationship with the promotion remains to be seen.