Tsarukyan denies September fight with Oliveira, backup

Arman Tsarukyan, a top contender in the UFC lightweight division, has clarified that he does not have an official fight scheduled for September, dispelling widespread rumors of a title bout against former champion Charles Oliveira. The speculation originated from comments Tsarukyan made on his YouTube channel, which he says were misinterpreted as a formal announcement.

During an interview, Tsarukyan explicitly stated that no fight against Oliveira, often referred to as "Do Bronx," has been booked. He explained that he was discussing potential future options, not confirming a finalized matchup. His next UFC appearance, he confirmed, will be for the lightweight title, but the timing and opponent depend entirely on the outcome of the upcoming championship unification bout between current champion Ilia Topuria and interim titleholder Justin Gaethje on June 14. Tsarukyan is serving as the official backup fighter for that event.

If Topuria retains the title, Tsarukyan suggested a fight might occur later in the year. If Gaethje wins, he indicated September or October as possible timelines. Despite his position as the number one contender, Tsarukyan opined that it might be strategically...