Chael Sonnen thinks Arman Tsarukyan has been punished enough by the UFC.
Tsarukyan was left out of the title picture after the promotion opted to book Justin Gaethje (26-5 MMA, 9-5 UFC) against Paddy Pimblett (23-3 MMA, 7-0 UFC) for the interim lightweight title in the UFC 324 headliner on Jan. 24.
Advertisement
Tsarukyan’s recent actions have resulted in him being snubbed. He first withdrew from his title fight against Islam Makhachev at UFC 311 just one day before the fight. He also threw a punch at a fan during his walkout for his fight against Charles Oliveira at UFC 300 in April 2024, which resulted in a $25,000 fine and a nine-month suspension by the Nevada Athletic Commission. Tsarukyan capped that off by head-butting Dan Hooker during their weigh-ins for UFC Fight Night 265 in November, which risked jeopardizing their fight.
However, after Tsarukyan (23-3 MMA, 10-2 UFC) weighed in as the official backup for Topuria’s vacant title win over Charles Oliveira at UFC 317, Sonnen says the No. 1 contender has paid his dues.
“Can we please forgive him?” Sonnen told The Schmo of Tsarukyan. “Whatever he did to get himself in this weird purgatory, can we also remember that he agreed to be a backup fighter? That he did a training camp, that he flew out to Las Vegas, he went through the commission, he made weight. He was ready to go in a moment’s notice. You get something for that. I want him to get something. I want him recognized. I forgive Arman Tsarukyan, and I want other people to forgive him.”
More: Dana White defends snubbing Arman Tsarukyan from interim UFC title fight
Advertisement
The winner of Gaethje vs. Pimblett is expected to unify the belt with lightweight champion Ilia Topuria. But with Topuria still dealing with ongoing legal issues with his ex-wife, Sonnen thinks Tsarukyan could end up in a title fight for his next fight.
“We don’t really know what’s going on with Ilia Topuria, in fairness, then Islam (Makhachev) doesn’t look like he’s going to come back to the weight class, but he says he’s going to,” Sonnen said. “I don’t know if Tsarukyan is being punished as much as the narrative says. I think that there’s a little bit of a waiting pattern. He was told that if he beats Hooker, that his next fight will be for the title. He has not been booked for his next fight, so there is a chance that this plan is still intact.”
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Chael Sonnen forgives Arman Tsarukyan – and hopes UFC can too
