Daniel Cormier on Arman Tsarukyan’s title snub: ‘They know more than us’

Daniel Cormier believes Arman Tsarukyan knows something we don’t. Despite being widely considered the most deserving lightweight prospect, Tsarukyan has yet to receive a title shot. Despite the title rejection, Tsarukyan has not been outspokenly critical of the UFC.

Cormier believes Tsarukyan knows something that is keeping him quiet. Cormier believes “Ahalkalakets” would have been louder had there not been a closed-door conversation. “DC” suggests fans make peace with the situation, as Tsarukyan has seemingly done the same.

Silent acceptance

“I don’t know why Arman isn’t fighting for the title,” Cormier told Red Corner MMA. “I heard the reason because of what happened in Los Angeles. I thought that by being a backup fighter when Ilia fought Charles and by fighting Dan Hooker it would be good. I don’t know what conversations they have behind closed doors because they tell him something that makes him okay with it. Because if he didn’t okay with it, he would be louder about not getting his chance. So I’m joking, they know more than us. And so we have to accept it for what It is, because it looks like Arman does too.”Tsarukyan (23-3) was set to challenge Islam Makhachev for the title at UFC 311 in Los Angeles last year. However, Tsarukyan withdrew from the fight due to injury, much to Dana White’s chagrin. White kept his promise to keep Tsarukyan out of the title picture when Makhachev left the belt and moved up to welterweight.

Tsarukyan played a backup role when former featherweight champion Ilia Topuria knocked out Charles Oliveira to win the vacant title at UFC 317. Like Cormier, most thought a title shot for Tsarukyan would be undeniable after he knocked out Dan Hooker at UFC Qatar last November. However, things changed when Topuria announced a brief hiatus from the sport due to personal issues. Tsarukyan is once again sidelined while Paddy Pimblett will fight Justin Gaethje for the interim lightweight title at UFC 324 on Jan. 24 in Las Vegas. White says Tsarukyan knows what’s going on and he needs to earn his way back to a title shot.