Arman Tsarukyan hasn’t stayed quiet following Michael Chandler’s recent comments about him missing out on a title opportunity.
Tsarukyan, one of the UFC’s top lightweight contenders, was invited to face UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev in the main event of UFC 302 on June 1 following his decision victory over Charles Oliveira earlier this month at UFC 300. Although it was a great opportunity, Tsarukyan (22-3 MMA, 9-2 UFC) decided to pass up the opportunity and wait his turn, given how little he had to prepare.
This caught the attention of many, including Chandler, who criticized Tsarukyan’s decision. However, Tsarukyan does not expect Chanlder to understand his thought process, as he believes they are in very different positions.
“I don’t expect you to understand (Michael Chandler),” Tsarukyan wrote in X. “We are not at the same level. I’m here to be the champion. You’re just waiting for a paycheck. I also don’t understand why you waited for Conor’s fight for 2 years, you could have missed 4 exciting fights during that time.”
I don’t expect you to understand @MikeChandlerMMA. We are not on the same level. I’m here to be the champion. You’re just waiting for a paycheck. I also don’t understand why you waited for Conor’s fight for 2 years, you could have missed 4 exciting fights during that time pic.twitter.com/FfysM0YurV
-Arman Tsarukyan UFC (@ArmanUfc) April 23, 2024
Chandler returns to UFC 303 on June 29 to face Conor McGregor in a welterweight bout. This fight has been in the works for years and has been expected for a long time, as Chandler and McGregor served as opposing coaches on last year’s season of The Ultimate Fighter.
