Dana White’s Take On Arman Tsarukyan – ‘Don't Be A Maniac'

UFC CEO Dana White provided an update on UFC lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan, acknowledging that while their professional relationship is solid, Tsarukyan’s volatile behavior remains a concern for the promotion.

Tsarukyan is currently “waiting in the wings” for a title shot, but his past behavior has not helped. White has referenced the November 2025 “headbutt incident” at the UFC Qatar ceremonial weigh-ins, where Tsarukyan struck Dan Hooker during their final face-off.

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White Reacts

Despite the controversy, Tsarukyan backed up his talk by submitting Dan Hooker via arm-triangle choke in the second round. Following a recent sit-down with UFC Chief Business Officer Hunter Campbell, Tsarukyan teased “good news” on social media, as White hinted that something could materialize soon.

"Saturday, everything sort of changes, and you start looking at what the possibilities are for fights coming up the rest of the year. And we’ll see what happens with Arman. Arman needs to not be a maniac when he shows up to the event, and I like Arman," White said 

Arman has since had his say on the matter. The lightweight was confident that he would become a leading name in the sport soon, stating that it would happen once Islam Makhachev retires. Arman was meant to face Islam at UFC 311 in 2025 only to then pull out after Tsarukyan suffered a back injury. However, looking forward, Arman was optimistic about his future.

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Arman’s Future

"He’s going to retire I think in two fights. One, two fights, he’s done. But me, I’m going to take over this sport in one year. “Everybody’s just going to see me, when they see me they think about UFC because I’m going to be the face of UFC. Just I need a title to show up.

"They worry about that I’m going to get the title and leave UFC. But where am I going to [go] if I become a champion? So I want to be the best in the UFC and to be with that company because they built me and I appreciate that they signed me and made me a star and they gave me good fights, main events. I want to be a champion, I want to break records in our lightweight division, defend as much as possible. So Islam did four, I want to do five or six, and then we’ll see," Tsarukyan said 

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