Arman Tsarukyan, officially named as the backup fighter for the UFC's lightweight title bout at the White House on June 14, has publicly cast doubt on his role, citing a busy schedule that includes a wrestling match on June 13, the same day as the weigh-ins.. According to the UFC's announcement by President Dana White, Tsarukyan is the designated backup, but the fighter himself told media at a press conference for his RAF 9 wrestling match that he is not planning to serve that role, creating a clear discrepancy between the promotion's plans and the athlete's intentions.

Tsarukyan's June 13 Wrestling Match Conflicts with UFC Weigh-Ins

Tsarukyan is schedlued to compete in a wrestling match at RAF 10 on June 13, which falls on the same day as the UFC weigh-ins for the White House event. As the source reports, Tsarukyan stated, "I'm booked until September already… I have wrestling match on June 13, we'll see," and later emphasized that he will only participate in the RAF event, not the UFC backup weigh-in. This scheduling conflict is a concrete logistical barrier, suggesting that the UFC's official designation may not materialize into an available fighter if needed.

No Reported Injuries Two Weeks Out — Why the Backup Role May Be Purely Formal

According to the report, Tsarukyan himself noted that no injuries have been reported and the fight is only two weeks away, making it unlikely that the main event fighters would need a replacement. The source quotes his skeptical comment : "I am a backup, but everything is going good, two weeks left, I think they're gonna fight. So, I'm gonna wait for my chance." This suggests the backup designation may be more of a contractual or promotional formality than a realistic contingency, especially given Tsarukyan's competing commitments.

RAF Wrestling Gaining Momentum as an Alternative Combat Sports Platform

The source highlights that the RAF wrestling series, where Tsarukyan is actively competing, is gaining attention as an alternative combat sports platform,further complicating athlete scheduling across different organizations. Tsarukyan's dual participation reflects a broader trend of fighters seeking opportunities beyond the UFC umbrella, which could strain the promotion's ability to secure backup fighters for high-profile events like the White House card.

Merab Dvalishvili Shuts Down Rematch with Umar Nurmagomedov

The source also notes that bantamweight contender Merab Dvalishvili has definitively ruled out a rematch with Umar Nurmagomedov, stating that chapter is closed. while no further details are provided, this separate piece of news from the same UFC ecosystem underscores that fighter decisions and rivalries are increasingly being resolved outside the promotion's official narrative.

Unanswered Question: Will the UFC Enforce the Backup Role or Let Tsarukyan Skip Weigh-Ins?

The source does not clarify what happens if Tsarukyan fails to weigh in as the backup on June 13, nor has the UFC responded to his remarks. the discrepancy between Dana White's announcement and Tsarukyan's stated plans leaves an open question about the promotion's ability to compel athlete compliance ,especially when the fighter has conflicting contractual obligations with a rival organization.