Arman Tsarukyan revealed that the UFC initially scheduled a fight for him against Michael Chandler on June 14 at the White House but later scrapped the matchup. Chandler has recently faced tough times, losing five of his last six fights, including a TKO loss to Paddy Pimblett. Instead, Chandler has been matched with Mauricio Ruffy. Tsarukyan, who recently won against Dan Hooker, is eyeing a shot at the lightweight title and has expressed interest in being a backup for the upcoming title fight between Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje.

By the Numbers
  • Chandler has lost five of his last six UFC bouts.
  • Tsarukyan's last victory was against Dan Hooker at UFC Qatar.
State of Play
  • Chandler's upcoming match against Mauricio Ruffy is seen as critical for his career.
  • Tsarukyan is pursuing a title shot and wants to serve as a backup for the title unification fight.
What's Next

If Chandler defeats Ruffy, he may challenge Conor McGregor again, who is rumored to return in July. Tsarukyan aims to secure a title shot if he succeeds in backing up the championship bout.

Bottom Line

Tsarukyan's ambition for a title shot contrasts sharply with Chandler's precarious position, highlighting the volatility of the UFC landscape where fortunes can shift dramatically based on one fight.