According to Arman Tsarukyan, the UFC originally planned to book him against a lightweight fan favorite at the White House.
Tsarukyan hasn’t competed since quickly submitting Dan Hooker at UFC Fight Night 265 this past November. He is eager for his shot at the 155-pound belt and has even offered to weigh in as a backup for champion Ilia Topuria’s title-unification bout against Justin Gaethje at UFC Freedom 250 on June 14 at the White House.
It appears the UFC had plans of booking Tsarukyan (23-3 MMA, 10-2 UFC) on that card – until matchmakers changed their mind.
“They called me for (Michael) Chandler. They wanted to put me against Chandler,” Tsarukyan said on the PBD Podcast. “And then they understood that it’s bad for Chandler, and he’s representing the U.S. It’s like 99.9 (percent) that I’m beating him, and then they put (Mauricio) Ruffy. If someone gets hurt, either Ruffy or Chandler, they might call me.”
Michael Chandler (23-10 MMA, 2-5 UFC) was instead offered rising contender Mauricio Ruffy. The former Bellator champion is on a three-fight losing skid, and has lost five of his past six.
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Arman Tsarukyan reveals UFC offered him to fight on White House card
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