Top UFC lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan nearly signed off to fight on the White House card before matchmakers changed their minds.
UFC Freedom 250 is just weeks away as Ilia Topuria, Justin Gaethje, and other top stars prepare to fight in an unprecedented event on the White House lawn. It’ll mark the first sporting event to take place at the White House in U.S. history and is expected to deliver on lofty expectations.
Despite the seven-fight card featuring plenty of intriguing matchups, many fans were disappointed with the lack of overall starpower after UFC CEO Dana White’s claim that it would be the biggest card in the promotion’s history. A super fight between Topuria and UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev nearly came to fruition before last-second negotiations fell apart.
Enter UFC lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan, who will likely face the Topuria vs. Gaethje winner after UFC Freedom 250. As he awaits his next fight booking, he was allegedly close to appearing on the White House card against one of the biggest UFC fan favorites.
Arman Tsarukyan: UFC tried to book Michael Chandler fight at the White House
In a recent appearance on the PBD Podcast, Tsarukyan raised eyebrows when asked if he was ever in talks to fight on the upcoming White House card.
“They called me to fight Chandler, and then they understood that it’s bad for Chandler. Especially representing the U.S? 99.9 percent I’m beating him, so they went with Ruffy,” Tsarukyan said.
“If either Chandler or Ruffy is hurt, they might call me to [fill].”
Michael Chandler is looking to earn his first UFC win since a knockout over Tony Ferguson at UFC 274. He’s lost three straight fights, including most recently against Paddy Pimblett at UFC 314.
Chandler has a steep hill to climb against the rising star Mauricio Ruffy at UFC Freedom 250. If anything happens to either lightweight, Tsarukyan sounds ready to step in to help save the card.
Who should Arman Tsarukyan fight next? Let us know in the comments!
