Arman Tsarukyan Turns Down Title Fight Against UFC Champion Islam Makhachev

Arman Tsarukyan, the formidable fighter from Armenia ranked No. 4 in the lightweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), has made a bold decision. Despite being offered a chance to face off against Islam Makhachev, the current UFC champion in their weight class, at UFC 302 on June 1 in New Jersey, Tsarukyan has chosen to decline.

This decision was reported by Sayat Abdrakhmanov, Tsarukyan's manager, who shared the news with Match TV. Tsarukyan's camp cited the need for a full training camp to adequately prepare for such a significant bout as the reason for refusing the fight against Makhachev.

Instead, Islam Makhachev will be squaring off against Dustin Poirier, the No. 3 contender in the UFC lightweight division rankings, on the same date and venue. Meanwhile, Tsarukyan, also known as "Akhalkalakets," is basking in the glow of his recent victory over Charles Oliveira at UFC 300 in Las Vegas.

On Saturday, Tsarukyan secured a split decision victory over Oliveira after an intense battle inside the octagon. Despite facing some adversity in the opening round, Tsarukyan showcased his resilience and dominance in the subsequent rounds, unleashing a barrage of powerful elbow strikes on his opponent.

For Tsarukyan, this victory holds immense significance. At just 27 years old, he is poised to become the youngest Armenian champion in the UFC's lightweight division, a feat that would undoubtedly cement his legacy in the sport.