TLDR
- Diego Lopes welcomes a potential fight with Arman Tsarukyan if he moves down to featherweight
- Tsarukyan is stuck in limbo at lightweight despite being the number one contender
- The lightweight fighter believes he can make 145 pounds with a three-week weight cut
- Alexander Volkanovski says Tsarukyan would be a tough challenge at featherweight
- Lopes faces Volkanovski for the featherweight title at UFC 325 on Saturday
Sources: BJ Penn | MMA Junkie | Fox Sports
Diego Lopes has joined the growing list of featherweight fighters willing to face Arman Tsarukyan if the lightweight contender makes the move down to 145 pounds. Lopes addressed the possibility during a UFC 325 media day session on Wednesday.
“I don’t know if this guy thinks he deserves this fight at 145,” Lopes said. “I think the UFC didn’t give him the fight at 155, I think less at 145. But, I respect him. He’s a great athlete, a great guy. He’s so dangerous, but if he wants to come to the division, I think he has a great fight for him here.”
Tsarukyan has been stuck in limbo at lightweight despite being ranked as the clear number one contender. He recently watched from the sidelines as Justin Gaethje won the interim title against Paddy Pimblett at UFC 324 last weekend in Las Vegas.
The Armenian fighter was originally scheduled to fight for the UFC Lightweight Championship in early 2025. He was removed from the card just hours before the weigh-ins due to issues with UFC brass.
Tsarukyan Plans Three-Week Weight Cut
Tsarukyan revealed on “The Ariel Helwani Show” that he’s discussed the move with his strength and conditioning coach Sam Calavitta. The coach told him a drop to 145 pounds is possible but won’t be easy.
“I’m not getting Gaethje, I’m not getting anybody,” Tsarukyan said. “I’m going to try to get the title at 145.”
Tsarukyan walks around at 175 pounds and believes he can make the featherweight limit with three weeks notice. He plans to eat clean and increase his cardio to drop to 165-166 pounds before making the final cut.
The lightweight contender’s relationship with the UFC has been strained by multiple incidents. He pulled out of a scheduled title fight against Islam Makhachev last year and got into trouble for punching a fan at UFC 300 in 2024.
Tsarukyan also disappointed UFC officials by headbutting Dan Hooker at the weigh-ins before their recent fight. He went on to win that bout by submission.
Volkanovski Sees Tough Challenge
Reigning UFC Featherweight Champion Alexander Volkanovski has also weighed in on the possibility. He admitted at UFC 325 media day that fighting Tsarukyan would be a tough challenge.
“I love challenges,” Volkanovski said. “He would obviously be a tough challenge if he could get down there. Same with Movsar [Evloev]. Even given the wrestling side of things, I would love that because for the legacy.”
Volkanovski faces Lopes in the UFC 325 main event on Saturday in Sydney, Australia. This will mark the first defense of his second reign as featherweight champion.
The champion previously defeated Lopes by unanimous decision back in April 2025 to capture the vacant title. That fight was Volkanovski’s last octagon appearance.
Lopes returned to action in September 2025 with a second-round TKO victory over Jean Silva. The bout with Volkanovski represents his first opportunity to capture UFC gold.
Gaethje is expected to unify the lightweight title against champion Ilia Topuria this summer. Tsarukyan remains without a clear path to a title shot at 155 pounds, making the featherweight move an increasingly attractive option.
