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Dana White Names Tsarukyan Backup for Topuria-Gaethje Fight

5/10/2026

Summary

Story summary

U.S. CEO Dana White announced that Arman Tsarukyan will serve as backup for the June 14 White House bout between Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje.
Ilia Topuria captured the vacant lightweight belt by knocking out Charles Oliveira last year.
Arman Tsarukyan submitted Dan Hooker in his most recent fight and previously defeated Oliveira by decision.
Fans welcomed the backup plan, saying a Topuria-Tsarukyan matchup would be more compelling than Topuria-Gaethje.

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Story summary

U.S. CEO Dana White announced that Arman Tsarukyan will serve as backup for the June 14 White House bout between Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje.
Ilia Topuria captured the vacant lightweight belt by knocking out Charles Oliveira last year.
Arman Tsarukyan submitted Dan Hooker in his most recent fight and previously defeated Oliveira by decision.
Fans welcomed the backup plan, saying a Topuria-Tsarukyan matchup would be more compelling than Topuria-Gaethje.