Arman Tsarukyan warned he could be wasting his star power with lack of UFC fights

Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Arman Tsarukyan warned he could be wasting his star power with lack of UFC fights

Originally posted on Bloody Elbow | By Donagh Corby | Last updated Apr 28, 2026 1:02 PM ET

Arman Tsarukyan has been warned that his recent rise in fame could be for naught if he can’t book himself a UFC fight soon.

After pulling out of the main event of UFC 311 last year, Tsarukyan found himself on the outs with the promotion. However, he has gone on to make himself a massive name through an aggressive media tour, streaming appearances and nearly biweekly competition in RAF Wrestling and Hype FC grappling.

He has only fought in the octagon once during this meteoric rise, defeating Dan Hooker in the main event of UFC Qatar last November. And Jorge Masvidal fears that he could be letting a golden opportunity slip between his fingers.

Jorge Masvidal advises Arman Tsarukyan on UFC future

One man who capitalized on a late-career influx of followers was former welterweight title challenger Jorge Masvidal. He went from a middle-of-the-road contender at the beginning of 2019 to one of the sport’s biggest stars by year’s end.

The promotion even invented a belt for him in the BMF title. He won the strap from Nate Diaz in a Madison Square Garden headliner just months after shock knockout wins over Darren Till and Ben Askren made him a household name, and ended up getting real title fights in 2020 and 2021.

And he is concerned that if Arman Tsarukyan is benched for much longer, he could be unable to capitalize on his newfound fame. It is widely believed that he will get the next shot at lightweight gold, but Masvidal isn’t so sure.

“I don’t know if Arman gets the winner,” Masvidal opined during his Death Row MMA podcast while talking about the next title fight once Justin Gaethje and Ilia Topuria have competed at UFC White House this June.

“Dana could be as stubborn as anybody I’ve ever seen. Really, Dana’s the one that put a stop on it, and he’s the only one that can lift that. Nobody in that company can say when Arman is going to fight and it sucks.

“I’m one of those guys who says ‘yeah, he f—ed up’. I think it was either the day before or the day of [UFC 311] he pulled out. He f—ed up. You sat him out already but how much longer can you sit this guy out, you know?

“And as far as name goes at 155, besides Charles Oliveira which he beat, he’s got the biggest name, biggest clout, biggest following. I just want to see that fight [for the title] already and I don’t want it to be like 4-5 years from now. I’d rather it be while both are in their prime.

“I think he’s a next-level athlete with the speed, the power, he’s a phenomenal athlete. He can fight really, really good, but I’d put my money on Ilia [to beat him]. I respect Arman, I think he’s one of the best lightweights out there but I’m putting my money on Ilia.”

This article first appeared on Bloody Elbow and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: