In the world of the UFC, talent is supposed to guarantee opportunity, but Arman Tsarukyan believes a different factor is keeping him from a title shot: fear within the front office. Despite being the No. 1-ranked lightweight contender last year, the Armenian was snubbed for a shot at the title. As if that wasn’t bad enough, the interim lightweight title shot was then handed over to Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett, fighters who were further down the rankings from him.

So, why the step-motherly treatment from Dana White and the rest of the UFC brass? Speaking on the Full Send Podcast, ‘Ahalkalakets’ laid out his theory.

“They worry about that I’m going to get the title and leave UFC,” Tsarukyan said. “But where am I going to [go] if I become a champion? So I want to be the best in the UFC and to be with that company because they built me and I appreciate that they signed me and made me a star, and they gave me good fights, main events. I want to be a champion. I want to break records in our lightweight division, defend as much as possible.

“Islam did four, I want to do five or six, and then we’ll see. I’m not young anymore, too, I’m 29, so I have maybe six, seven years. I’ve got to make a lot of money, be a champion, be the best fighter in the world, and then, yeah, I can leave.”

The wait has been a long one for Arman Tsarukyan. However, according to Dana White, there are a few reasons why the UFC has seemingly sidelined the Armenian. Last year, Tsarukyan pulled out of a scheduled lightweight title fight against Islam Makhachev just a few days before the bout, a decision that complicated his standing with the promotion. Then there was the time when he struck a fan at UFC 300. On top of that, at UFC Qatar last year, he headbutted his opponent, Dan Hooker, during the final face-off, nearly derailing the event. And more recently, he was involved in a post-match brawl with Georgio Poullas at an RAF wrestling event.

Despite the antics, however, Dana White has already clarified that he does not “dislike” the Russian-Armenian. In fact, he revealed that the UFC offered him a strong contract, something Tsarukyan himself has acknowledged. While sidelined, he also stayed active outside the Octagon, competing in Real American Freestyle Wrestling events and building his profile among Western audiences through collaborations with streamers. Dana White has since acknowledged the activity positively.

“I like what Arman’s been doing, keeping himself active,” said Dana White on the Adin Ross live stream.

But activity has not translated into opportunity. Whether the hold-up is strategic, contractual, or related to his behavior is less clear at this point. For his part, the 29-year-old has indicated he intends to change his approach. He has continued competing outside the UFC, going five wins and one draw across six wrestling and grappling appearances under HYPE, RAF, and ACBJJ. He is now scheduled to face UFC veteran Urijah Faber in an RAF wrestling match next week.

Arman Tsarukyan sets sights on replacing Islam Makhachev

Beyond the title shot debate, Tsarukyan has made it clear he sees himself as the next dominant force in the lightweight division and believes that, even at an organizational level, he will be the next top dog as Makhachev’s reign is nearing its end.

“[Islam] is gonna retire I think in two fights. One-two fights, he’s gone. I’m gonna take over this sport in one year,” Tsarukyan told the Nelk Boys.

Islam Makhachev holds a 28-1 record and has successfully defended the lightweight title four times, surpassing benchmarks set by BJ Penn and Khabib Nurmagomedov. Tsarukyan’s own résumé at lightweight includes a win over Charles Oliveira and several other high-level opponents, making him a credible successor on paper. However, whether he gets an opportunity to do that is completely up to the UFC.

Arman Tsarukyan’s title shot may come by the end of the year as he expects, but his behavioral record gives the UFC legitimate reasons to move cautiously and that tension is unlikely to resolve itself before UFC Freedom 250.