Arman Tsarukyan has taken a cheeky dig at Aussie UFC superstar Alexander Volkanovski, declaring he will retire the featherweight legend – and then hire him as his personal chef.
The outspoken lightweight contender, riding a five-fight win streak in the UFC, is still waiting for his long-promised crack at the 155-pound crown.
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And if that opportunity doesn’t come soon, Tsarukyan has made it clear he’s willing to chase a title by dropping down a division – potentially setting up a clash with Windang’s finest.
Responding to a fan question earlier this week, Tsarukyan suggested a showdown with the Aussie legend would make perfect sense.
“Yes, it makes sense,” he said in a video on Aviator’s YouTube channel.
“I’ll beat Volk and then I’ll hire him as my chef because when I beat him, he’s going to retire and he’s gotta do something and I can pay good money for him, to have a good chef like him.”
Volkanovski, of course, runs the popular Cooking with Volk series on YouTube, while Tsarukyan is also a well-known foodie – regularly showing off lavish meals across his social media.
For now, though, Volk has his sights firmly set on the featherweight title picture.
He is currently waiting for top contenders Lerone Murphy and Movsar Evloev to settle their business in the cage, with the champ widely tipped to face the winner.
But once that chapter is settled, Volkanovski has admitted he’d be open to testing himself against Tsarukyan and others.
The Armenian contender, meanwhile, has suggested he’d make quick work of Australia’s favourite MMA star.
“One axe kick — that’s it,” Tsarukyan claimed earlier this year.
Volkanovski, however, couldn’t help but laugh off the prediction.
“Yeah, I love challenges,” Volkanovski said.
“And he would obviously be a tough challenge if he can get down here.
“It would definitely be a tough challenge.”
As for Tsarukyan’s axe-kick prediction?
“He says he’s going to axe kick, obviously he’s going to want to wrestle,” Volk grinned.
“But I like the guy.
“He’s hilarious.
“That PR run he went on was incredible.
“And if we face off, my takedown defence is solid.
“And if we get that, I’ll remind him.”
Last year, Tsarukyan was poised to take on superstar Islam Makhachev for the lightweight crown at UFC 311 – until disaster struck on the eve of the fight.
A late injury forced Tsarukyan off the card just 24 hours before the event, destroying the biggest opportunity of his MMA career and leaving the UFC less than impressed.
The withdrawal quickly landed him in the promotion’s bad books, and he’s been trying to claw his way back into favour ever since.
Tsarukyan hasn’t done himself any favours, though.
In November, Tsarukyan headbutted Dan Hooker during the weigh-ins for UFC Fight Night: Qatar – a moment that drew a sharp rebuke from UFC boss Dana White.
Then earlier last month the lightweight contender found himself in hot water again, this time after punching Georgio Poullas following their wrestling bout at RAF 7.
Yet despite the string of incidents outside the cage Tsarukyan insists his relationship with the shot-callers at the UFC remains solid.
“I don’t know why Dana speaks ill of me, but I have no problem with them, or any behind-the-scenes issues,” Tsarukyan told Red Corner MMA earlier this month.
“… There’s no point in addressing [Dana White], because I don’t negotiate with him. I am in talks with Hunter [Campbell], because he’s in charge of matchmaking.
“Dana probably just approves everything related to fights. But the actual matchmakers are Sean Shelby, Hunter, so I’ve got nothing to say to Dana.”
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Tsarukyan was recently asked if he had any advice for Justin Gaethje in his upcoming showdown with champion Topuria at the White House card in June.
His response?
“I would recommend [Justin Gaethje] to get injured during his camp and let me step up and get the title,” he said.
“ After that, [Gaethje] can fight me.”