The main event of UFC 317 is set to go ahead as planned following Friday’s weigh-ins.
There was one change that came about on the day before fight night with Christopher Ewert being instantly cut from the UFC after he missed weight.
All four fighters involved in the two title fights on June 28 successfully hit the mark, with Ilia Topuria proving his confidence by celebrating with his team before he has even stepped inside the Octagon.
There were some concerns regarding Charles Oliveira considering that the Brazilian previously lost his lightweight title on the scales but ‘Do Bronx’ had no issues this time around.
The backup fighter for the main event also made the lightweight limit, leaving fans to question whether this means that he will be the next challenger for the winner of the vacant lightweight title.
Dana White says that Arman Tsarukyan hasn’t earned a lightweight title shot by making weight as the backup fighter
In a recent interview with Helen Yee Sports, Dana White was asked about Arman Tsarukyan’s current status in the lightweight division.
The #1-contender at 155 pounds made weight as the official backup fighter for the main event but his services haven’t been required.
Just hours before the UFC 311 weigh-in, Tsarukyan withdrew from his lightweight title fight with Islam Makhachev due to a back injury.
While backup fighters aren’t guaranteed to be the next contender in line, though this has happened in the past, there were some people questioning whether Tsarukyan successfully making weight would solidify his status as the next challenger.
White stated that though Tsarukyan won’t be the next lightweight title challenger, this is still a positive update for the 28-year-old following his issues in January.
“No. It’s a good step in the right direction, let’s put it that way.”
Arman Tsarukyan said he’s happy to be a backup fighter next month to prove he can make weight for a second time
During the UFC 317 weigh-in show, Arman Tsarukyan suggested that he’s willing to be the backup fighter for another big lightweight clash that takes place next month.
UFC 318 sees Dustin Poirier face Max Holloway in his retirement fight with no official backup being named as of yet.
Dan Hooker did say that the UFC had asked him about filling this role but his injuries have prevented him from fighting on this date.
Tsarukyan, who is seemingly keen to show the UFC that his issues ahead of UFC 311 won’t be a problem going forward, told Sportsnet that he’ll be there if the UFC needs him.
For the time being, he’ll have to watch from the sidelines as a new lightweight champion gets crowned in the main event of UFC 317.
