Arman Tsarukyan Designated Backup for UFC Freedom 250 Lightweight Title Bout at the White House

UFC Freedom 250 will be staged on June 14, 2026 at the White House to mark the 250th anniversary. The headline is a lightweight title unification between Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje. UFC CEO Dana White confirmed Armenian-Russian lightweight Arman Tsarukyan as the official backup.

Sports IllustratedESPNUSA TodayDana White’s UFC White House backup plan revealed as Arman Tsarukyan lands surprise roleBleacher ReportUSA TodayTough cut? Arman Tsarukyan reveals shaky Khamzat dropped 46 pounds to make weight at UFC 328Dustin Poirier Flags Khamzat Chimaev’s UFC 328 Scale Moment: ‘As Soon As He Steps On, They Say 185’ And ‘It Didn’t Even Have Time To Balance’

Ilia Topuria (17-0 MMA, 9-0 UFC) holds the undisputed lightweight belt after a knockout of Charles Oliveira at UFC 317. Justin Gaethje (27-5 MMA, 10-5 UFC) earned his interim title by beating Paddy Pimblett. Arman Tsarukyan (23-3 MMA, 10-2 UFC) is on a five-fight win streak, having submitted Dan Hooker. Dana White announced the backup plan and noted Tsarukyan’s prior disciplinary issues.

Sports IllustratedDana White’s UFC White House backup plan revealed as Arman Tsarukyan lands surprise roleUSA TodayBleacher ReportESPNUSA TodayTough cut? Arman Tsarukyan reveals shaky Khamzat dropped 46 pounds to make weight at UFC 328Dustin Poirier Flags Khamzat Chimaev’s UFC 328 Scale Moment: ‘As Soon As He Steps On, They Say 185’ And ‘It Didn’t Even Have Time To Balance’

Tsarukyan’s UFC record stands at 10-2, with three stoppage wins in his current streak. Topuria is 9-0 in the UFC, with his most recent win a first-round knockout of Charles Oliveira. Gaethje is 10-5 in the UFC, holding two interim titles. Tsarukyan’s last UFC fight was a first-round submission of Dan Hooker on Nov 22, 2025. He remains active in Real American Freestyle (RAF) wrestling, with a bout against Tony Ferguson scheduled for June 13.

Dana White’s UFC White House backup plan revealed as Arman Tsarukyan lands surprise roleUSA TodaySports IllustratedBleacher ReportESPNUSA TodayTough cut? Arman Tsarukyan reveals shaky Khamzat dropped 46 pounds to make weight at UFC 328Dustin Poirier Flags Khamzat Chimaev’s UFC 328 Scale Moment: ‘As Soon As He Steps On, They Say 185’ And ‘It Didn’t Even Have Time To Balance’

Dana White told reporters that Arman Tsarukyan has been designated as the backup for the White House fight and will be ready to step in if either headliner cannot compete. Topuria said he is prepared to face any opponent and intends to finish the fight quickly, regardless of whether it is Arman or Justin. Gaethje declined to comment. The UFC has not announced a standby for the co-main event.

ESPN

White highlighted Tsarukyan’s prior conduct as a factor in earlier title exclusions, citing a head-butt incident with Dan Hooker and a failure to make weight for a scheduled bout with Islam Makhachev. White also disputed that Tsarukyan’s withdrawal from UFC 311 was injury-related, asserting it was due to weight concerns. Observers note his recent MMA inactivity, questioning his readiness despite ongoing RAF competition.

Bleacher ReportUSA TodayDana White’s UFC White House backup plan revealed as Arman Tsarukyan lands surprise roleSports IllustratedESPNTough cut? Arman Tsarukyan reveals shaky Khamzat dropped 46 pounds to make weight at UFC 328USA TodayDustin Poirier Flags Khamzat Chimaev’s UFC 328 Scale Moment: ‘As Soon As He Steps On, They Say 185’ And ‘It Didn’t Even Have Time To Balance’

• “On June 14, I'm going to break his jaw in the first minute, whether it's Arman or Justin.” — Ilia Topuria, UFC lightweight champion

ESPN

• “So, if anything happens to that fight, Arman's in there.” — Dana White, UFC CEO

Bleacher Report

• “Well, it's not about getting back in the good graces… [Tsarukyan] had the opportunity to fight for the title and didn't make weight,” — Dana White, UFC CEO

Bleacher Report

• “Tsarukyan again drew the ire of White and UFC management when he headbutted Dan Hooker during weigh-ins prior to their main-event bout on a Nov.” — Dana White, UFC CEO

Bleacher Report

UFC Freedom 250 will feature the Topuria-Gaethje lightweight unification and an interim heavyweight bout between Alex Pereira and Ciryl Gane. Tsarukyan stays on standby while preparing for RAF 10 against Tony Ferguson on June 13, ready to step in if needed.

ESPN