Arman Tsarukyan shares his frustration with backup role for UFC White House main event

Photo by Cooper Neill/Zuffa LLC

Arman Tsarukyan is the backup fighter for the UFC White House main event, but it’s not a role he’s happy about.

He hasn’t fought in the UFC since November last year, but he’s stayed busy, appearing in seven matches and signing up for two more in the coming months.

Even though he’s been active outside the organisation, Tsarukyan still accepted backup duties for Ilia Topuria v Justin Gaethje. However, speaking to Shakiel Mahjouri of CBS Sports this week, he was honest about his lack of enthusiasm for it.

Arman Tsarukyan is less than thrilled with backup role

Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

Most of the MMA community feels ‘Ahalkalakets’ should already be fighting for the title, rather than being named as the backup.

That might have been his path if not for a series of incidents last year. Tsarukyan first withdrew from a scheduled bout with Islam Makhachev, and later headbutted Dan Hooker ahead of their fight. Neither move helped his standing with Dana White.

Outside the Octagon, his behaviour hasn’t done him any favours either. Those issues contributed to why he ended up accepting the backup spot.

Still, Tsarukyan hasn’t hidden how he feels about it. He told Jaxxon Podcast on YouTube that he’s not exactly eager to train for a fight that might never happen.

“It’s confirmed but I haven’t signed a contract yet,” Tsarukyan said on Jaxxon Podcast’s YouTube channel.

“I’m excited that if something happens they’ll call me, I’m the first guy who is going to jump in and I’m getting ready for that. I’m already on my diet, but it always sucks to be backup, but now I have to do it,” he continued.

The 29-year-old is generally in good shape, but over the past year he has become known online for his food-related videos where he eats large amounts in one sitting.