Arman Tsarukyan slams Justin Gaethje's UFC title shot request: 'You have to go through me first'

Arman Tsarukyan thinks Justin Gaethje has no business fighting for the title after UFC 313.

Gaethje (26-5 MMA, 9-5 UFC) called for a title shot after defeating Rafael Fiziev by unanimous decision in this past Saturday’s co-main event at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Tsarukyan (23-3 MMA, 9-2 UFC), who pulled out of his fight against lightweight champion Islam Makhachev just one day before UFC 311, was told by the promotion that he has to fight his way back to the title shot. He’s happy to settle things with Gaethje for the No. 1 contender spot.

“You barely got past #11 on short notice, and before that, you got sent to the shadow realm. If you really want to be the #1 contender and fight for the belt, you have to go through me first.”

You barely got past #11 on short notice, and before that, you got sent to the shadow realm. If you really want to be the #1 contender and fight for the belt, you have to go through me first. https://t.co/tgXsNYVhy8

— Arman Tsarukyan UFC (@ArmanUfc) March 12, 2025

Gaethje represents new blood for Makhachev, who’s having a hard time getting up for rematches. UFC CEO Dana White also seemed open to the idea of Gaethje potentially facing Makhachev next.

Standing in the way of Gaethje’s plan is newly minted lightweight Ilia Topuria, who opted to vacate his featherweight title for a move up. If Makhachev and Topuria do end up fighting, Tsarukyan has a hard time picking a winner.

“It’s a tough fight,” Tsarukyan told The Schmo. “Ilia, he is a better striker, good boxing. I don’t know – he’s never fought with guys who can wrestle very well like Islam, so we will see. It is a 50-50 fight.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 313.