Cormier hints secret reason behind Tsarukyan not getting title shot

UFC legend Daniel Cormier has hinted that there should be a secret reason behind Arman Tsarukyan not getting the title shot.

Currently, Arman is not in the ideal spot, with UFC not interested in giving him an opportunity against the champion at 155 pounds.

Tsarukyan is the No.1 contender for a shot at the lightweight title, and he has strengthened his case in November 2025, after stopping Dan Hooker.

He has called out lightweight champion Ilia Topuria multiple times, but it seems like UFC and the ‘El Matador’ are not interested.

After Topuria recently announced that he is moving away from MMA for some time to deal with personal issues, UFC CEO Dana White announced Paddy Pimblett vs Justin Gaethje interim lightweight title fight, which will take place on January 24, 2026, snubbing Tsarukyan.

Cormier was asked about the Arman situation by Red Corner MMA, and he said there might be something discussed behind closed doors, which we don’t know.

“I don’t know why Arman is not fighting for the title. I really don’t. I’ve heard the reason because of what happened in Los Angeles. I thought by weighing in as the backup fighter when Ilia [Topuria] fought Charles [Oliveira] and then by going and fighting Dan Hooker it would be okay,” Cormier said.

“I don’t know what conversations that they are having behind closed doors are because they’re telling him something that’s making him okay with it, right? Because if he wasn’t okay with it he would be more loud about him not getting his opportunity. So I kinda defer to ‘they know more than we do’ and we got to accept it for what it is.”