In the UFC, sometimes a single strike—and not even during the fight, but something done before it—can change major decisions. That’s exactly what happened in the latest controversy involving lightweight Arman Tsarukyan: he wasn’t selected for an interim title bout.
According to promotion president Dana White, Arman’s behavior directly influenced the decision. During the traditional pre-fight staredown, Tsarukyan headbutted opponent Dan Hooker in the face. As tensions flared, UFC officials and security stepped in immediately and separated the fighters.
Soon after, it was announced that the interim lightweight title fight went not to Arman, but to Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett. In other words, both the “turn” and the “opportunity” on the road to the belt shifted elsewhere.
Dana White said it plainly:
“When we choose title contenders, we consider many factors. A fighter’s conduct is one of them. Arman’s action 100% affected our decision,” he said in an interview with journalist Robbie Fox.
As a reminder, last November Arman Tsarukyan defeated Dan Hooker via a choke in Round 2. But this time, it wasn’t the result in the cage that mattered most—it was discipline before stepping into it.
Bottom line: in the UFC, it’s not just fists that have to work—your brain does too. Because on the road to a championship, sometimes the toughest opponent… is your own emotions.
Read “Zamin” on Telegram!
