Arman Tsarukyan has been confirmed as the official backup fighter for the UFC Freedom 250 main event, UFC president Dana White announced at a promotional press conference at Prudential Center.
The June 14 headliner is a lightweight title fight between champion Ilia Topuria and challenger Justin Gaethje, taking place at the White House ahead of the United States' 250th celebration.
Responding to Tsarukyan’s backup role, Topuria made it clear his focus won’t change. “Me personally, I don't care who I'm going to have in front (of me),” he said, adding, “June 14, I'm going to break his jaw in the first minute, whether it's Arman or Justin.”
Tsarukyan enters backup duty with a 23-3 professional MMA record and a 10-2 mark in the UFC. He has not competed in MMA since a November win over Dan Hooker that extended his winning streak to five, though he has been competing frequently for Real American Freestyle wrestling despite not having an MMA fight scheduled.
Tsarukyan’s only UFC losses are to Islam Makhachev and Mateusz Gamrot. Topuria brings a 17-0 MMA record and 9-0 UFC record into UFC Freedom 250, while Gaethje stands at 27-5 in MMA and 10-5 in the UFC.
