Video: Did Arman Tsarukyan shake up the UFC lightweight title picture?

mma junkie staff

Wed, Dec 6, 2023, 11:20 AM·8 min read

Arman Tsarukyan could not have asked for a better outcome against Beniel Dariush at UFC on ESPN 52.

Entering the week looking to make a statement, Tsarukyan did exactly that by finishing Dariush with a furious combination 64 seconds into the first round. After the fight, Tsarukyan felt confident his call for a title shot against Islam Makhachev would be heard.

If granted, that would mean the 27-year-old Armenian would jump over a couple of contenders in wait. Based on the current UFC’s promotional rankings, Charles Oliveira, Justin Gaethje and Dustin Poirier are ahead.

Could the UFC opt for a fresh title matchup in this position? While it wouldn’t be the first time Tsarukyan has shared the cage with Makhchev, it would be a new contender getting his shot at gold.

Our “Spinning Back Clique” panelists Dan Tom, Matthew Wells, and Brian “Goze” Garcia discuss Tsarukyan’s chances of jumping the line with host “Gorgeous” George Garcia.

Check out their discussion in the video above, and don’t miss the most recent entire episode of “Spinning Back Clique” below on YouTube or in podcast form.

Arman Tsarukyan UFC on ESPN 52 media day

Arman Tsarukyan

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Beneil Dariush UFC on ESPN 52 media day

Beneil Dariush

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Arman Tsarukyan UFC on ESPN 52 official weigh-ins

Arman Tsarukyan

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Beneil Dariush UFC on ESPN 52 official weigh-ins

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Arman Tsarukyan UFC on ESPN 52 ceremonial weigh-ins

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Beneil Dariush UFC on ESPN 52 ceremonial weigh-ins

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Beneil Dariush vs Arman Tsarukyan UFC on ESPN 52 ceremonial weigh-ins

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MMA: UFC Fight Night - Austin - Dariush vs Tsarukyan

Dec 2, 2023; Austin, Texas, USA; Beneil Dariush (red gloves) prior to the fight against Arman…

Dec 2, 2023; Austin, Texas, USA; Beneil Dariush (red gloves) prior to the fight against Arman Tsarukyan (blue gloves) during UFC Fight Night at Moody Center. Mandatory Credit: Dustin Safranek-USA TODAY Sports

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MMA: UFC Fight Night - Austin - Dariush vs Tsarukyan

Dec 2, 2023; Austin, Texas, USA; Beneil Dariush (red gloves) fights Arman Tsarukyan (blue gloves) during…

Dec 2, 2023; Austin, Texas, USA; Beneil Dariush (red gloves) fights Arman Tsarukyan (blue gloves) during UFC Fight Night at Moody Center. Mandatory Credit: Dustin Safranek-USA TODAY Sports

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MMA: UFC Fight Night - Austin - Dariush vs Tsarukyan

Dec 2, 2023; Austin, Texas, USA; Beneil Dariush (red gloves) fights Arman Tsarukyan (blue gloves) during…

Dec 2, 2023; Austin, Texas, USA; Beneil Dariush (red gloves) fights Arman Tsarukyan (blue gloves) during UFC Fight Night at Moody Center. Mandatory Credit: Dustin Safranek-USA TODAY Sports

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MMA: UFC Fight Night - Austin - Dariush vs Tsarukyan

Dec 2, 2023; Austin, Texas, USA; Beneil Dariush (red gloves) fights Arman Tsarukyan (blue gloves) during…

Dec 2, 2023; Austin, Texas, USA; Beneil Dariush (red gloves) fights Arman Tsarukyan (blue gloves) during UFC Fight Night at Moody Center. Mandatory Credit: Dustin Safranek-USA TODAY Sports

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MMA: UFC Fight Night - Austin - Dariush vs Tsarukyan

Dec 2, 2023; Austin, Texas, USA; Arman Tsarukyan (blue gloves) prior to the fight against Beneil…

Dec 2, 2023; Austin, Texas, USA; Arman Tsarukyan (blue gloves) prior to the fight against Beneil Dariush (red gloves) during UFC Fight Night at Moody Center. Mandatory Credit: Dustin Safranek-USA TODAY Sports

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MMA: UFC Fight Night - Austin - Dariush vs Tsarukyan

Dec 2, 2023; Austin, Texas, USA; Beneil Dariush (red gloves) fights Arman Tsarukyan (blue gloves) during…

Dec 2, 2023; Austin, Texas, USA; Beneil Dariush (red gloves) fights Arman Tsarukyan (blue gloves) during UFC Fight Night at Moody Center. Mandatory Credit: Dustin Safranek-USA TODAY Sports

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MMA: UFC Fight Night - Austin - Dariush vs Tsarukyan

Dec 2, 2023; Austin, Texas, USA; Beneil Dariush (red gloves) fights Arman Tsarukyan (blue gloves) during…

Dec 2, 2023; Austin, Texas, USA; Beneil Dariush (red gloves) fights Arman Tsarukyan (blue gloves) during UFC Fight Night at Moody Center. Mandatory Credit: Dustin Safranek-USA TODAY Sports

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gallery

MMA: UFC Fight Night - Austin - Dariush vs Tsarukyan

Dec 2, 2023; Austin, Texas, USA; Beneil Dariush (red gloves) fights Arman Tsarukyan (blue gloves) during…

Dec 2, 2023; Austin, Texas, USA; Beneil Dariush (red gloves) fights Arman Tsarukyan (blue gloves) during UFC Fight Night at Moody Center. Mandatory Credit: Dustin Safranek-USA TODAY Sports

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arman-tsarukyan-ufc-on-espn-52

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MMA: UFC Fight Night - Austin - Dariush vs Tsarukyan

Dec 2, 2023; Austin, Texas, USA; Beneil Dariush (red gloves) fights Arman Tsarukyan (blue gloves) during…

Dec 2, 2023; Austin, Texas, USA; Beneil Dariush (red gloves) fights Arman Tsarukyan (blue gloves) during UFC Fight Night at Moody Center. Mandatory Credit: Dustin Safranek-USA TODAY Sports

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MMA: UFC Fight Night - Austin - Dariush vs Tsarukyan

Dec 2, 2023; Austin, Texas, USA; Beneil Dariush (red gloves) fights Arman Tsarukyan (blue gloves) during…

Dec 2, 2023; Austin, Texas, USA; Beneil Dariush (red gloves) fights Arman Tsarukyan (blue gloves) during UFC Fight Night at Moody Center. Mandatory Credit: Dustin Safranek-USA TODAY Sports

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MMA: UFC Fight Night - Austin - Dariush vs Tsarukyan

Dec 2, 2023; Austin, Texas, USA; Arman Tsarukyan (blue gloves) celebrates defeating Beneil Dariush (red gloves)…

Dec 2, 2023; Austin, Texas, USA; Arman Tsarukyan (blue gloves) celebrates defeating Beneil Dariush (red gloves) during UFC Fight Night at Moody Center. Mandatory Credit: Dustin Safranek-USA TODAY Sports

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MMA: UFC Fight Night - Austin - Dariush vs Tsarukyan

Dec 2, 2023; Austin, Texas, USA; Beneil Dariush (red gloves) reacts after being defeated by Arman…

Dec 2, 2023; Austin, Texas, USA; Beneil Dariush (red gloves) reacts after being defeated by Arman Tsarukyan (blue gloves) during UFC Fight Night at Moody Center. Mandatory Credit: Dustin Safranek-USA TODAY Sports

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MMA: UFC Fight Night - Austin - Dariush vs Tsarukyan

Dec 2, 2023; Austin, Texas, USA; Arman Tsarukyan (blue gloves) celebrates defeating Beneil Dariush (red gloves)…

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gallery

MMA: UFC Fight Night - Austin - Dariush vs Tsarukyan

Dec 2, 2023; Austin, Texas, USA; Arman Tsarukyan (blue gloves) celebrates defeating Beneil Dariush (red gloves)…

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gallery

MMA: UFC Fight Night - Austin - Dariush vs Tsarukyan

Dec 2, 2023; Austin, Texas, USA; Beneil Dariush (red gloves) reacts after being defeated by Arman…

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gallery

MMA: UFC Fight Night - Austin - Dariush vs Tsarukyan

Dec 2, 2023; Austin, Texas, USA; Arman Tsarukyan (blue gloves) prior to the fight against Beneil…

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gallery

MMA: UFC Fight Night - Austin - Dariush vs Tsarukyan

Dec 2, 2023; Austin, Texas, USA; Arman Tsarukyan (blue gloves) celebrates defeating Beneil Dariush (red gloves)…

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Arman Tsarukyan def. Beneil Dariush, UFC on ESPN 52 Scorecard

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Story originally appeared on MMA Junkie

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