Arman Tsarukyan emerged victorious in a hard-fought split-decision win over Charles Oliveira at UFC 300, held at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Following his triumph, UFC officials wasted no time in offering Tsarukyan a championship rematch against 155-pound titleholder Islam Makhachev at UFC 302 on June 1.
However, Tsarukyan's manager disclosed that they turned down the opportunity. Subsequently, the UFC swiftly arranged for Dustin Poirier to step in and challenge Makhachev for the title in the main event of UFC 302.
Notably, Tsarukyan had previously faced Makhachev in April 2019, losing via split decision. Given the short turnaround time and the physical toll of his recent bout with Oliveira, it appears prudent for Tsarukyan to decline the immediate rematch with Makhachev.
Considering the potential risks associated with a quick return to the Octagon, Tsarukyan's decision seems well-founded. The matchup between Poirier and Makhachev is poised to captivate MMA enthusiasts, with Poirier's status as a fan favorite and his recent impressive victory over Benoit Saint-Denis adding to the intrigue.
Meanwhile, UFC CEO Dana White hinted at Tsarukyan likely refraining from accepting another fight in the interim to safeguard his top ranking position. This strategic move allows Tsarukyan time to recuperate and prepare for a future showdown against the winner of the Poirier-Makhachev clash at UFC 302.
Furthermore, White announced Conor McGregor's return to the Octagon on June 29 as the headliner for UFC 303, while Sean Strickland vs. Paulo Costa is set to serve as the co-main event for UFC 302. Following the exhilarating UFC 300 event, the promotion will take a brief hiatus before resuming action with a UFC Apex Fight Night on April 27, featuring Matheus Nicolau against Alex Perez in the main event.
