Arman Tsarukyan details plan to restore his reputation after ‘misinterpreted’ injury and ‘duck’ claims

Arman Tsarukyan is ready to do whatever it takes to win back UFC fans.

The top lightweight contender was supposed to fight for UFC gold against Islam Makhachev in January.

However, he withdrew from the fight after suffering a back injury the day before UFC 311.

As a result, Arman Tsarukyan has dropped down the 155lb pecking order and lost fans who believe he ducked a fight with the man Dana White calls the best lightweight in UFC history.

• READ MORE: Arman Tsarukyan reveals who he’ll most likely fight next after losing lightweight title shot

Arman Tsarukyan ready for short-notice UFC fights

Arman Tsarukyan choked out a Bellator legend when he returned to the cage on Saturday.

The 28-year-old squared off against Patricky ‘Pitbull’ Freire in a grappling match at ADXC in Russia.

It took five rounds for Tsarukyan to tap out the Brazilian jiu-jitsu black with a rear-naked choke.

After his win, Armenia’s favorite fighter expressed his desire to serve as a backup at UFC 317 and UFC 318.

“I’m not sure if that’s needed, but if they offered me it I will definitely back it up,” Tsarukyan said about Ilia Topuria vs Charles Oliveira, which will see a new lightweight champion crowned in Las Vegas on June 28.

“I will be ready. I’m flying back to the US now and will be staying there in case anyone is injured and they ask me if I’m ready. I will say yes.

“Absolutely positive,” Tsarukyan added when asked if he would also step in for Dustin Poirier or Max Holloway, who are due to complete their trilogy of fights in New Orleans on July 19.

“I need to take chances now. I got injured, and the injury was misinterpreted.

“The doctor didn’t let everybody know what really happened, so some people still think I ducked that fight.

“Now I just need to get back on track, so I’m going to do whatever the UFC tells me to do,” he added.

Arman Tsarukyan’s beef with Paddy Pimblett heats up

Paddy Pimblett propelled himself into lightweight title contention at UFC 314 in April.

‘The Baddy’ brutalized Michael Chandler in a third-round TKO win, which ended with him calling out everyone in the lightweight top five.

However, Pimblett sparked a rivalry with Tsarukyan by saying he’d prefer not to face him due to his history of pulling from fights at the last minute.

The Englishman recently angered Tsarukyan by naming Justin Gaethje as his preferred next opponent.

It was obvious you were talking trash with zero intention of backing it up. Your UFC career is built on handouts, hype, and shortcuts to the top,” he said.

Pimblett then went nuclear in his comeback, telling Tsarukyan: “Rich boy talking about handouts. You’ve been handed everything on a silver platter ur whole life by daddy u [clown].

“Never said I wudnt fight you it’s just nobody cares about you after pulling out against Islam because of a ‘back injury’ we all know u was menstruating really u sausage.”