AUSTIN, Texas – Arman Tsarukyan sees Beneil Dariush as the obstacle in the way of everything he wants in his career.
After repeatedly calling for big names at lightweight, Tsarukyan (20-3 MMA, 7-2 UFC) finally get his opportunity Saturday when he meets Dariush (22-5-1 MMA, 16-5-1 UFC) in the UFC on ESPN 52 headliner, which takes place at Moody Center with a main card on ESPN following prelims on ESPN+.
A winner of seven of his past eight fights, Tsarukyan has been working hard to put traction around his name in a top-heavy and star-studded 155-pound division. If he can deliver a statement win against a perennial contender in Dariush, Tsarukyan is confident he will elevate to the next level.
“Finally, I got a big fight, and I’m so excited,” Tsarukyan told MMA Junkie and other reporters at Wednesday’s UFC on ESPN 52 media day. “If I finish him, I can talk about a title fight.”
Talking about a title fight and actually getting one are two different things. Tsarukyan, No. 12 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie lightweight rankings, said he understands that fact, and that no matter how impressively he might beat No. 5-ranked Dariush, he will keep grounded and stay the course.
His overall goal is to fight for the belt next year, ideally in a rematch with Islam Makhachev, who spoiled Tsarukyan’s octagon debut by unanimous decision in April 2019. But if Tsarukyan needs to win multiple fights before he gets his shot, he said he will not complain.
“For me, it doesn’t matter,” Tsarukyan said. “I’m just looking for a victory this weekend. After that, if they tell me, ‘You need three more fights,’ I’m going to fight three more times, then get the title fight. My goal next year is to fight for the title.”
Tsarukyan, 27, made it clear he’s not overlooking Dariush, 34, by any stretch. He could have a difficult five-round fight ahead, but is confident he knows how things will unfold.
“He’s a well-rounded fighter,” Tsarukyan said. “I think he’s going to wait for what I’m going to do and check out what my game plan’s going to be, then try to defend my wrestling and strike me – and I think he wants to try to take me down, too.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 52.
