{"id":636731,"date":"2026-04-28T18:24:11","date_gmt":"2026-04-28T18:24:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/636731\/"},"modified":"2026-04-28T18:24:11","modified_gmt":"2026-04-28T18:24:11","slug":"disgruntled-ufc-star-claims-promotion-scrapped-plan-for-ufc-white-house-fight","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/636731\/","title":{"rendered":"Disgruntled UFC Star Claims Promotion Scrapped Plan for UFC White House Fight"},"content":{"rendered":"

The UFC\u2019s top-ranked lightweight contender claims that the promotion originally had him lined up as Michael Chandler\u2019s opponent at The White House.<\/p>\n

Scheduled to take place on June 14, the card dubbed \u201cUFC Freedom 250\u201d is headlined by a lightweight title unification bout<\/a> between undefeated star Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje, who won the division\u2019s interim belt for the second time when he took a unanimous decision over Paddy Pimblett<\/a> at UFC 324.<\/p>\n

The event currently features a total of seven fights after adding a heavyweight tilt between UFC record holder Derrick Lewis and Josh Hokit<\/a>, and one of those matchups will see former Bellator titleholder Chandler attempt to snap a three-fight skid against Mauricio Ruffy. <\/p>\n

Arman Tsarukyan Claims He Was Offered Michael Chandler Fight<\/p>\n

Chandler always seemed like a lock for the UFC White House card even when it became clear that his long-awaited matchup with Conor McGregor<\/a> wouldn\u2019t be happening in June, but fellow lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan claims that he was originally lined up to face \u201cIron\u201d instead of Ruffy. <\/p>\n

\u201cThey wanted to match me with Chandler, but then realized it\u2019s a bad fight for him,\u201d Tsarukyan said on the PBD Podcast (h\/t MMA Orbit<\/a>). \u201cHe\u2019s representing the U.S, and it\u2019s like a 99.9% chance I beat him, so they went with Ruffy instead.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Arman<\/p>\n

Arman Tsarukyan during UFC 300 at T-Mobile Arena. | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

The ever-patriotic Chandler is one of seven Americans that will be fighting at The White House on June 14. The card features two all-American matchups with the aforementioned Lewis vs. Hokit fight and a middleweight clash between Bo Nickal and Kyle Daukaus.<\/p>\n

\"Michael<\/p>\n

Michael Chandler (red gloves) fights against Paddy Pimblett (blue gloves) during UFC 314 at Kaseya Center. | Sam Navarro-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Albuquerque-native Steve Garcia will also look to move closer towards featherweight title contention when he meets two-time title challenger Diego Lopes, and former UFC Bantamweight Champion Sean O\u2019Malley takes on Canada\u2019s Aiemann Zahabi immediately before the two title bouts that will close out the night. <\/p>\n

Tsarukyan Still Waiting For Shot at UFC Lightweight Title<\/p>\n

Chandler finds himself lined as a sizeable underdog against Ruffy, but those odds may have been even longer if he\u2019d been matched up with a fighter that many view as the rightful next challenger for the UFC lightweight title. <\/p>\n

\"Ilia<\/p>\n

Ilia Topuria (red gloves) reacts after the fight against Charles Oliveira (blue gloves) during UFC 317 at T-Mobile Arena. | Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Currently on a five-fight win streak that began after a highly-controversial loss to Mateusz Gamrot in 2022, Tsarukyan most recently competed in the main event of UFC Qatar last November and submitted Dan Hooker in the second round. The 29-year-old was slated to challenge Islam Makhachev <\/a>for the UFC lightweight belt at UFC 311 before an injury forced him out of the matchup on weigh-in day, and he\u2019s been left hunting for another title opportunity ever since. <\/p>\n

\"Arman<\/p>\n

Arman Tsarukyan during UFC 300 at T-Mobile Arena. | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Tsarukyan has kept extremely active following his win over Hooker, though not in MMA. He\u2019s competed in several grappling matches since UFC Qatar, and \u201cAhalkalakets\u201d has also found considerable success on the wrestling mats with Real American Freestyle. <\/p>\n

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