An undated photo of UFC lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan. — Instagram/arm_011
Former UFC two-time champion Henry Cejudo has explained why Arman Tsarukyan is not getting a title shot against lightweight champion Ilia Topuria.
Currently, Arman is not in the ideal spot, with UFC not interested in giving him an opportunity against the champion at 155 pounds.
Tsarukyan is the No. 1 contender for a shot at the lightweight title, and he has strengthened his case in November, after stopping Dan Hooker.
He has called out lightweight champion Topuria multiple times, but it seems like UFC and the ‘El Matador’ are not interested.
Topuria recently announced that he is moving away from MMA for some time to deal with personal issues, following which UFC CEO Dana White made it public that Paddy Pimblett will be up against Justin Gaethje for the interim lightweight title on January 24, snubbing Tsarukyan.
Now, former UFC champion Cejudo has explained why UFC is not allowing Arman Tsarukyan to have a shot at gold in the lightweight division.
Cejudo has said that UFC is not giving Arman a chance because he didn’t fought when the promotion needed him.
“I thought Arman Tsarukyan deserved it,” Cejudo told MMA Arena.
“But I can see why Dana White and the UFC didn’t give it to him because he didn’t fight when they needed him to. He had the opportunity, so now he says get to the back of the line. If I’m Arman, I’m looking to fight as frequently as I possibly can because you’ve got to get better.”