Arman Tsarukyan signs UFC return fight date after 2025 layoff

Top-ranked UFC lightweight Arman Tsarukyan has given fans a clear return date to the Octagon, ending a long layoff that frustrated MMA followers.

Arman Tsarukyan will soon sign a UFC contract for his next fight, he told MMAFighting.com on 18 Jul 2026. The Armenian lightweight last competed in November 2025, submitting Dan Hooker at UFC Fight Night 233. He hasn’t fought since, though he’s stayed active in RAF wrestling.

What did Tsarukyan say?

Speaking ahead of his RAF wrestling match against Colby Covington, Tsarukyan confirmed the UFC bout is locked in. “The UFC has got to give me a fight, that’s why I’m flying to Vegas and I have a date, I have a name, we’ve just got to sign on Monday and so everything is almost set up,” he told MMAFighting.com.

The contender didn’t name his next opponent, but he left little doubt about his plans. “It’s gonna be a good fight, an exciting fight and the best place to fight for me,” Tsarukyan said. “This year, two fights, two belts.”

Could Tsarukyan vs. Charles Oliveira 2 happen?

Rumors already link Tsarukyan to a rematch with BMF champion Charles Oliveira, whom he beat via split decision at UFC 300 on 13 Apr 2024. Tsarukyan didn’t confirm Oliveira is next, but his “two belts” tease points straight at the BMF strap and the 155-pound title.

A Tsarukyan-Oliveira rematch would headline a stacked lightweight division. Both men rank among the top five at 155 pounds, and Oliveira still holds the BMF belt after his win over Beneil Dariush in May 2026.

Why the layoff hurt Tsarukyan’s stock

Tsarukyan fought just once in 2025, a submission win over Hooker in Las Vegas. That’s half the schedule of rivals like Islam Makhachev and Justin Gaethje, who stayed busy in title windows. Fans grew restless as Tsarukyan chased wrestling instead of title shots.

Yet the Armenian’s camp insists the delay was tactical. “He’s been sharp in wrestling, but the Octagon is where he belongs,” said a source close to Tsarukyan. “Now the UFC finally has a clear path.”

What comes next for Tsarukyan?

The contract is expected to land by the end of July 2026, with the fight likely in late 2026. Tsarukyan’s “two belts” line suggests he’s targeting Oliveira’s BMF strap first, then Gaethje’s lightweight belt.

Either way, the return can’t come soon enough for Tsarukyan’s momentum. The division moves fast, and every month off the radar chips away at title contention. A busy fall would silence doubters and put Tsarukyan back in the mix for gold.