Dana White has shut down Arman Tsarukyan’s calls for an interim UFC lightweight title to be created while champion Islam Makhachev recovers from a hand injury.
Makhachev and Tsarukyan were originally expected to run it back for the former’s gold at the upcoming UFC 308 pay-per-view in Abu Dhabi next month. But a physical issue for the Dagestani forced him out.
Soon after, the Russian-Armenian contender expressed a willingness to wait until December should their title fight be rearranged. But if a return isn’t possible for the champ until 2025, he’d like to instead compete for an interim belt.
And in his latest comments to Red Corner MMA, Tsarukyan suggested that a 2024 comeback is indeed off the table for Makhachev, once again sparking talk of a second title in the lightweight division.
“I was informed that this fight will not happen this year, it will take place early next year. … It’s from the UFC, but this is the nature of our sport: everything can change in a moment. That’s why I am keeping myself in shape. I am in camp now.
“It’s not about fighting Islam for me, it’s about becoming the champion,” Tsarukyan continued. “Any of the top five could fight for the interim title – (Dan) Hooker, (Michael) Chandler, (Charles) Oliveira, (Justin) Gaethje or (Dustin) Poirier…although they don’t deserve it because all four of them are coming from a loss, at least three of them.”
But that sentiment doesn’t appear to be shared by the promotion’s higher-ups…
White On Interim Title Talk: ‘Islam’s Fought So Many Times…’
During a recent interview with Manouk Akopyan, White provided an update on the lightweight title picture and addressed recent talk of a matchup for an interim belt.
The UFC CEO suggested plans are coming together for Makhachev’s next defense. And despite Tsarukyan suggesting it won’t be until early 2025, White dismissed any notion that an interim title could be created in the Dagestani’s absence.
“Islam’s fought so many times and is always willing to jump up and take a fight. So no, there won’t be an interim title,” White said. “When he’s ready to go, we’ll go. We have plans. We’re looking at it right now, when he would fight. … Yes, (Tsarukyan’s) the number one contender.”
Tsarukyan previously name-dropped options like Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje when discussing a possible interim title fight. Evidently, though, that is not a possibility while he awaits a likely rematch with Makhachev in 2025.
Interestingly, the UFC has been less firm on its avoidance of interim title fights in the past.
The promotion previously created a second heavyweight belt to be contested by Derrick Lewis and Ciryl Gane in August of 2021. That was despite then-champ Francis Ngannou’s team claiming “The Predator” was ready to accept his first defense for the very next month.
Ngannou ultimately unified the title against Gane in January 2022. While Makhachev is expected to make his return in January 2025 at the earliest, no such interim title has been created for the summer/early fall this time around.
