Arman Tsarukyan has spent the last two years simultaneously building his star power and testing the UFC’s patience at every turn. Dana White’s latest comments to Spinning Backfist suggest the promotion has landed firmly on the side of embracing what Tsarukyan brings rather than punishing him for it.
Dana White’s Top-5 Stars List includes Arman Tsarukyan
The conversation started when Robbie Fox asked Dana White about Paddy Pimblett’s star status and who else belongs in the top tier of UFC marketability right now.
“Jon Jones is still up there. O’Malley. Merab has done a great job and has become a star. Islam,” White said before adding:
“Absolutely [Arman makes the list]. Arman is definitely in there. The guy has done an incredible job of getting attention. And a lot of Nina Drama.”
The Antics That Nearly Derailed Everything
Arman Tsarukyan’s relationship with the UFC has been genuinely rocky. He pulled out of his title shot against Islam Makhachev at UFC 311 at the last minute, a withdrawal that cost him enormous goodwill.
He punched Georgio Poullas at RAF. He punched a fan. He headbutted Dan Hooker, failed to show up for the official weigh-ins despite being the backup fighter for the Ilia Topuria versus Justin Gaethje headliner at UFC Freedom 250.
Despite sitting as the undisputed number one ranked lightweight contender for months, the title shot was repeatedly denied as a direct consequence of his behaviour off the canvas.
The fact that White is publicly placing ‘Ahalkalakets’ among Paddy Pimblett, Jon Jones, Sean O’Malley, Merab Dvalishvili, and Islam Makhachev in the same conversation about the promotion’s biggest commercial assets signals a genuine thaw. Good things appear to be coming for Tsarukyan if he can stay out of his own way.
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