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Michael Chandler warns Arman Tsarukyan’s title shot might be snatched away after Conor McGregor’s comeback

Michael Chandler had to patiently work through a year of delays before his fight with Conor McGregor became an actuality. The lightweight contender knows the value of jumping to action whenever necessary. Arman Tsarukyan recently snagged the No. 1 contender’s spot to contend for the 155-pound title gold. His decision not to pursue a title fight immediately confused Chandler.

Tsarukyan’s manager, Sayat Abdurakhmanov, told Vadim Tikhomirov that Tsarukyan refused a quick rebound for UFC 302. Hence, Dustin Poirier now faces Islam Makhachev at the Prudential Center, NJ, on June 1 (ESPN/ESPN+). This confuses Michael Chandler, and the American fighter warned Tsarukyan that he might regret turning down the title shot.

I also don’t understand why he didn’t take that fight, I would’ve taken it [even though it's a short turnaround] Man, this sport moves fast...June 1st you’re gonna see the lightweight title [fight] happen, and then a couple weeks later you’re gonna see… a fight that’s way bigger than that happen...And both of those guys can make lightweight. Michael Chandler via The MMA Hour (for MMAFighting on SBN)

‘Iron’ faces TUF: Season 31 co-coach Conor McGregor in what he thinks is a must-buy PPV. UFC 303 at International Fight Week remains an important fight in the Irishman’s career. The biggest PPV star could fight in his final bout if things do not go his way at UFC 303. After an all-time great KO, Max Holloway has a ranking in the lightweight division as well. As such, the sport moves fast, as Chandler said.

Just look at last year; Poirier lost the BMF title bout and looked completely out of the title picture. Now, he is fighting for the title despite a brutal KO loss last year. Things changed instantly when Poirier knocked out Benoit Saint-Denis, and Holloway knocked out Justin Gaethje. It remains to be seen if Tsarukyan will regret the decision to reject the title fight as Chandler commented.

Is Arman Tsarukyan deserving of title contention: Making sense of the crowded picture

Lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan bagged a signature win over Charles Oliveira at UFC 300. In the running as the No. 1 contender, he later refused a quick rebound for UFC 302. Even 155-pound peer Michael Chandler thinks this is a mistake. The lightweight title contention picture is crowded as it is. With big names like Conor McGregor returning, it’s only to get more so.

Tsarukyan (22-3 MMA, 9-2 UFC) fought a hard battle to earn the top spot, edging the opponent with a split victory (29-28, 29-28, and 28-29). With the fanbase Oliveira holds, many doubted Tsarukyan on winning the razor-thin decision. However, even BJJ savant Rener Gracie lauds his legitimate defenses against Olvieria’s submissions.

29 Media members scored 29-28, favoring the Armenian. Nine others scored it against, reporting to MMA Decisions. ‘Ahalkalakets’ said that even judge Mike Bell later recanted his official scoring of the 1st and 3rd frame of the match.

He is 9-1 in his past ten fights. His only blemish came as yet another controversially narrow decision skid to Mateusz Gamrot . The Armenian fighter also gave Islam Makhachev quite a challenge in his debut outing. It isn’t clear if the UFC will bill him for yet another bout before he can challenge for the title. As of now, he’s still in the running for the contention against whoever wins in the Poirier vs. Makhachev title fight at UFC 302.

This article first appeared on FirstSportz and was syndicated with permission.

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