Arman Tsarukyan says the UFC scrapped plans to match him with Michael Chandler at the upcoming UFC Freedom 250 card at the White House.
According to Tsarukyan, the promotion initially targeted him for Chandler on the June 14 event before changing course and pairing Chandler with Mauricio Ruffy instead. Tsarukyan has not fought since submitting Dan Hooker at UFC Fight Night 265 this past November.
"They called me for (Michael) Chandler. They wanted to put me against Chandler," Tsarukyan said, before adding, "And then they understood that it's bad for Chandler, and he's representing the U.S. It's like 99.9 (percent) that I'm beating him, and then they put (Mauricio) Ruffy. If someone gets hurt, either Ruffy or Chandler, they might call me."
Tsarukyan has also offered to serve as the backup fighter for the Ilia Topuria vs. Justin Gaethje matchup scheduled for UFC Freedom 250 on June 14 at the White House.
