A few weeks ago, it became official that Arman Tsarukyan would be the replacement fighter for the fight UFC White House on June 14 between Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethjewhich will also mean the unification of the lightweight belts. However, in the last few hours that scenario has changed, since the Armenian fighter has decided to prioritize his wrestling matches in RAF and he has come off the billboard.
Tsarukyan was already the replacement fighter in the fight between Charles Oliveira and Ilia Topuria in June 2025 in which ‘El Matador’ became the first undefeated double champion of the UFC. Being the substitute for these fights means that on the day of the weigh-in you also have to meet the scalewith all that that entails. Weight cut, suffering… in most cases, to end up not getting into the octagon.
I have a wrestling match on June 13 and we’ll see. I’m the replacement, but since everything is going to be fine…
Therefore, Arman has decided that on this occasion it’s not worth itsince he sees both fighters healthy and does not believe he will have to enter the scene. “I’m not scheduled until September already. They may not announce it yet. I have a wrestling match on June 13 and we will see. I’m the replacement, but since everything is going to be fine… There are two weeks left, they are fine and I think they are going to fight, so I will wait for my opportunity“he stated.
The reason is that on June 13 he will face Tony Ferguson in Philadelphia, so the Armenian fighter would have to fly to Washington that same morning, give weightand then fight in RAF at night after pushing his body to the maximum. A sacrifice which is difficult for him to do considering that he most likely will not fight in the White House.
Tsarukyan and Poullas, during the pitched battle.
Tsarukyan, a star in RAF
Tsarukyan will charge a good check to fight in the RAF, as he has been doing all year, so it would be crazy to accept being the replacement fighter and fulfill all the commitments in both companies. However, we do not know How would this have felt for the UFC? after making official the presence of the Armenian fighter at the event.
The last eight appearances of Arman have not even been in the UFC, where he has not competed since he submitted Dan Hooker in November 2025. Since then, he has had eight wrestling matches, winning seven and drawing one. Five of them have been in the RAF, where he is already a superstar and is very well paid.
In fact, after the fight against Tony Ferguson on June 13, Arman will face Colby Covington on July 18and from there he is expected to return to camp to fight in the UFC. However, it will be necessary to see what decision the UFC makes with him after these events, which join a long list of controversies that surround the figure of the Armenian.