Tsarukyan Named Backup for Topuria-Gaethje Title Bout

UFC President Dana White has named top lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan as the official backup fighter for the main event of the UFC White House card on June 14 at the White House in Washington, D.C.

The lightweight title unification bout pits reigning champion Ilia Topuria against interim titleholder Justin Gaethje. Tsarukyan would step in for a title fight if either fighter withdraws due to injury, illness, or failure to make weight. White confirmed the decision during a recent stream with Nina-Marie Daniele, stating, "Arman is the backup for the White House fight. So if anything happens to that fight, Arman’s in there."

The event, promoted as one of the promotion's most significant, drew attention earlier this week when President Donald Trump hosted Topuria, Gaethje, Alex Pereira, and Ciryl Gane at the Oval Office for faceoffs on the South Lawn. The UFC also unveiled a custom "Freedom Belt" for the card, featuring silver UFC lettering, stars from the American flag, and a golden "250" plate symbolizing 250 years of U.S. independence. Trump presented the belt alongside the fighters. It remains unclear if the belts will replace standard championship straps or serve as...