Arman Tsarukyan's Featherweight Title Aspiration Sparks Controversy Among UFC Contenders
Arman Tsarukyan, a prominent figure in UFC headlines, has been actively showcasing his life and opinions across social media platforms. Beyond his online presence, which ranges from critiquing fellow fighters to displaying a lavish lifestyle, the athlete has unveiled a daring professional ambition. Tsarukyan has proposed a significant move: dropping down to the featherweight division to challenge directly for the championship title.
Movsar Evloev's Direct Rejection of Tsarukyan's Title Hopes
This bold strategy, however, has encountered immediate opposition from an unexpected source—his friend and training partner, Movsar Evloev. In a recent interview with Submission Radio, Evloev delivered a blunt response to Tsarukyan's aspirations. "Better if he fights with [Jean] Silva until I get the title," Evloev stated, emphasizing his own claim to the featherweight crown. He clarified their relationship, noting, "We train together with Arman. You know, we talk; we are friends. I don't want to say anything against him. But the featherweight title is mine, and I don't want to let anybody talk about my title."
Evloev's firm stance is particularly notable given their close connection, highlighting the competitive nature of UFC title pursuits. Despite being a leading contender in the featherweight division, Evloev has faced challenges, including frequent injuries that have led to prolonged absences from fights. As other competitors like Diego Lopes have been defeated by champion Alexander Volkanovski, Evloev is now focused on securing his own title shot, but first must overcome Lerone Murphy at UFC London on March 21.
Alexander Volkanovski's Interest in a Potential Matchup
Meanwhile, featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski has expressed intrigue at the prospect of facing Tsarukyan. With an impressive record of just two defeats in 12 fights in the lightweight division, Tsarukyan is known for his high-level grappling and wrestling skills, which could pose a stylistic challenge in the featherweight category. Volkanovski acknowledged the potential excitement of such a matchup, stating in an interview with Complex, "But yeah, whether he gets to come in and jump straight to the front of the line, I don't know about that. But it'd be very exciting, obviously a tough challenge for any of us in our division."
Tsarukyan's Current Position and Future Uncertainty
Tsarukyan's path to a title shot remains unclear. His last octagon appearance was in November 2025 against Dan Hooker at UFC Qatar. Currently, with Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje engaged in a lightweight title unification bout, Tsarukyan finds himself temporarily out of the immediate title picture. His proposal to move down to featherweight adds a layer of fascination to his career trajectory, but it faces significant hurdles, including Evloev's direct opposition and the competitive landscape of the division.
As discussions around Tsarukyan's next move continue to generate energy among fans and analysts, the ultimate decision rests on UFC matchmaking and the outcomes of upcoming fights. The dynamic between friendship and competition, as exemplified by Tsarukyan and Evloev, underscores the intense rivalries and personal stakes inherent in professional mixed martial arts.
