Should Dana White now put past differences aside?
It is no secret that Arman Tsarukyan has fallen out of favour with the UFC president, following a series of issues over the past few years.
The organisation have taken some heat for passing him over at UFC 324, opting instead for Paddy Pimblett and Justin Gaethje to fight for the interim lightweight belt.
Tsarukyan did not help his cause in 2025, first by withdrawing from the Islam Makhachev title fight and then headbutting Dan Hooker during weigh-ins at UFC Qatar.
While those incidents – along with punching a fan at UFC 300 – were cited as reasons for his exclusion, one legend believes it is time for White to put those issues in the past.
Chael Sonnen says Dana White should ‘move on’ from Arman Tsarukyan history
Despite Tsarukyan’s win over Hooker and serving as a backup fighter for the last lightweight title fight, it has not been enough to earn him a shot at the belt.
Chael Sonnen has publicly urged White and the UFC to stop holding Tsarukyan’s past against him.
The former fighter believes it is time to recognise what the Armenian has accomplished and give him the recognition he deserves.
Speaking to The Schmo, Sonnen said: “Can we please forgive him?
“Whatever he did to get himself in this weird purgatory, can we also remember that he agreed to be a backup fighter? That he did a training camp, that he flew out to Las Vegas, he went through the commission, he made weight. He was ready to go in a moment’s notice.
“You get something for that. I want him to get something. I want him recognised. I forgive Arman Tsarukyan, and I want other people to forgive him.”
Sonnen is no stranger to being on the wrong side of White himself. Back in 2014, his brawl with Wanderlei Silva during The Ultimate Fighter did not sit well with the UFC president.
White called them out publicly, saying: “Show this sport some respect, show yourself some respect, and let’s keep this thing cool for the rest of the season.”
UFC not ready to back Arman Tsarukyan for main event just yet
Tsarukyan, though, has not been shy about sharing his own perspective on the situation.
During a recent appearance on a Kick stream with Adin Ross, he opened up about what the UFC told him regarding their decision.
‘Ahalkalakets’ said: “I was supposed to fight for the title and then they said, ‘You are dangerous to push you on the first card on Paramount.’
“Because of the headbutt, pullout, (punching) fan. That’s why they said, ‘You’ve gotta wait.’ And I said okay. What can I do?
“I’ll just wait and I know my belt is not gonna be like – it’s gonna be mine. I work every day because of that,” he revealed.
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