Arman Tsarukyan Gives New Update On UFC Gold As His Potential 2027 Title Fight Gets Closer

Arman Tsarukyan reveals a potential timeline for his UFC lightweight title shot in 2027.© Instagram/@arm_011

Arman Tsarukyan could be fighting for UFC lightweight gold as early as March or April 2027, and the contender says his title shot is already being talked about. In a chat with MMA Fighting's Mike Heck, the Armenian shared that he expects to stay at 155 pounds, even though he earlier thought about moving to featherweight if UFC denied him a title opportunity. These comments came after his dominant first-round TKO win over Mauricio Ruffy at UFC 331 in September. He didn't give any exact date, but his answer points toward an early-2027 return.

Tsarukyan expects a lightweight title fight early in 2027

When Heck asked about his next fight, Tsarukyan kept it short: “Beginning of the next year.” Heck then asked if he meant March or April, and he replied, “Almost.” A fight in that window would mean roughly a six months gap since the Ruffy win, which is a normal wait for a title challenger.

He also explained why he wants to stay at lightweight instead of dropping to 145 pounds.

“If they wouldn't give me a title at 155, I would go down (to 145 pounds), but as I heard, I'm going to fight for the title next,” Tsarukyan said.

So his goal is clear. He wants to become the greatest lightweight fighter and break records in the division, and his preferred opponent could be Justin Gaethje, whom he has called out before.

Justin Gaethje and Charles Oliveira remain part of the title picture

Justin Gaethje looks like the leading option for Tsarukyan, but Charles Oliveira can still enter the race. UFC commentator Joe Rogan thinks Tsarukyan is the strongest matchup after the Ruffy win, and he called him “indestructible” on a JRE podcast episode with Robert Whittaker.

Rogan sees one more possibility though. If Oliveira beats Diego Lopes and keeps his BMF title at UFC 335 on December 12, a rematch with Gaethje for both the BMF and lightweight titles could make sense, according to him.

Oliveira has made his own case for the belt. He pointed at his potential three-fight winning streak if he defeats Lopes, and argued that he is more reliable than Tsarukyan and better at selling fights.

Besides this, UFC CEO Dana White gave Tsarukyan a positive assessment after the Ruffy fight, saying the Armenian “couldn't be in a better position.” But he stopped short of guaranteeing the title shot.

That leaves Tsarukyan with a potential early-2027 window, while the opponent is still not confirmed.

Gaethje's manager, Ali Abdelaziz, earlier told MMA Junkie that injuries from the Ilia Topuria fight pushed the champion's return to early 2027. Gaethje has also said Tsarukyan is the only contender who has earned a title shot, and this gives the matchup one more reason to stay in the conversation.