We all anticipated the fight between Michael Chandler and the semi-washed-up golden boy Conor McGregor. However, there’s another fighter on the block looking to fight Chandler.
After defeating Joaquim Silva by third-round TKO, Arman Tsarukyan (20-3 MMA, 7-2 UFC) wants a top-five contender as his next opponent.
So, continue reading to discover the details of his call out for Chandler!
Beneil Dariush is Tsarukyan’s first choice for a contest. However, he doesn’t believe it will work into his schedule for UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi in October. Ultimately, he prefers Michael Chandler (23-8 MMA, 2-3 UFC).
Tsarukyan expressed his desire to face Michael Chandler when speaking to reporters after his fight at UFC on ESPN 46. He mentioned that it seemed unlikely for him to fight Conor McGregor. Tsarukyan stated that he was available to fight and believed his impressive winning streak made him a suitable opponent. He emphasized the age difference between himself and Chandler, suggesting that it would be exciting for fans to witness a matchup between the younger and older generations.
For the bulk of this year, Chandler and McGregor have been scheduled to square off, but several issues surround it. They are rival trainers in the present season of the reality series “The Ultimate Fighter,” which was shot months ago. Also, before taking any action toward his return bout, McGregor must re-enroll in the USADA drug testing program.
Additionally, McGregor has lately been the subject of unfavorable press because he was charged with rape and sexual assault after Game 4 of the NBA Finals in Miami earlier this month. The ex-two-division UFC champion dismissed any form of misconduct through his attorneys, but the case is still developing.
Putting those problems aside, Tsarukyan said he doesn’t see anything from McGregor that would lead him to believe a fight is imminent. Tsarukyan commented that he had observed McGregor’s lifestyle, stating that he seemed to be enjoying himself on his yacht, consuming alcohol, visiting the beach, and smoking weed. Tsarukyan contrasted this with his intense training routine, mentioning that he trained multiple times daily and surrounded himself with dedicated individuals. He expressed doubt regarding McGregor’s willingness to fight based on his activities.
In the end, Tsarukyan was only looking for a chance to move up to the top tier at 155 pounds. He doesn’t care who it is, but he wants more after having to compete against an unpopular opponent at UFC on ESPN 46.
He stated that if Beneil Dariush is able to compete in Abu Dhabi in October, he would certainly be interested in fighting him. However, if that is not the case, Tsarukyan mentioned his willingness to face any opponent, emphasizing that he is open to fighting anyone in the top five rankings. He specifically mentioned Michael Chandler and Beneil Dariush as potential opponents. However, he indicated that a fight against Dariush would be a logical and meaningful matchup.
So, will Tsarukyan get his desired opponent in his next fight? Comment your predictions below!
