Arman Tsarukyan has asked for forgiveness from Dana White and Hunter Campbell for his past actions.
Tsarukyan (23-3 MMA, 10-2 UFC) was the UFC’s officially ranked No. 1 contender until Justin Gaethje won the interim title at UFC 324 by defeating Paddy Pimblett. It was a fight Tsarukyan should have been in, but pulling out of a prior title opportunity on fight week and other antics outside of the cage cost him that opportunity.
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His troubles began at UFC 300 when he punched a fan during his walkout for his fight against Charles Oliveira. After winning that fight by split decision, he earned a title shot against Islam Makhachev, but pulled out during fight week due to a back injury. There has been plenty of speculation about whether or not his back was the real issue, but Tsarukyan assures it was a real injury that he will eventually require surgery.
“It was bad – it was so bad,” Tsarukyan told Daniel Cormier. “So, one day I got to do surgery. So, now I’m figuring out when I should do that. Yeah, I’m still able to train, but I think when I get the belt, I’m going to do the surgery because it takes like six weeks to get back.”
Tsarukyan did himself no favors to get back in the UFC’s good graces when he headbutted Dan Hooker during their faceoff in November, causing a broken nose. Even though Tsarukyan won the fight by submission in the second round and was the No. 1 contender, he found himself watching cageside as Gaethje and Pimblett fought for the interim title.
“I think this is Paramount’s first fight, first Paramount event, that’s why they’re a little bit scared to put me there,” Tsarukyan said. “Because I pulled out once in my life from my fight, and they don’t believe that they can make it happen. The second one, headbutt. Third one, is that I punched the fan.”
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The lightweight contender knows he’s been at fault in the past, but since he’s been on quite the media tour in recent weeks, Tsarukyan may have turned over a new leaf, and is ready to fight for the UFC title, should the promotion grant him the opportunity. He said he expects his manager to speak with the UFC brass soon and hopes for a positive resolution, and promises to walk the straight and narrow going forward.
“So, Dana and Hunter, yes, go ahead. Forgive me,” Tsarykyan said. “Give me a title fight. I’ll be a good boy. I’m a good boy, and I’m not gonna hit anybody anymore. I’m trying to be a good boy. … In the during camp, it can be happen everything you know? Like you can get hurt, but for the weight cut and for the punching bags or headbutt anybody – never happen again.”
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Arman Tsarukyan asks forgiveness from UFC, promises no more issues
