Tsarukyan Says Gaethje Fight Decision Will Come at End of November

Top UFC lightweight Arman Tsarukyan has revealed when fans will learn whether his long-awaited fight with champion Justin Gaethje will take place. Speaking to Helen Yee Sport, Tsarukyan said he has been told that everything will be announced at the end of November. Tsarukyan did not hide his frustration with the wait. He claimed Gaethje has been avoiding the matchup and talking about retirement, and suggested the champion will either need to be paid enough to take the fight or will walk away from the sport. It is a bold public push from a challenger trying to force the champion's hand. The Armenian-Russian contender last fought in September 2026 at UFC 331, where he knocked out Mauricio Ruffy in the first round to take his professional record to 24 wins and three losses. That victory kept him firmly in the title picture in a division that has been waiting for its next big fight. Gaethje, meanwhile, won the lightweight championship in June 2026 at UFC Freedom 250 in Washington, D.C., when Ilia Topuria declined to continue into the fifth round. The American holds a record of 28 wins and five losses. If the November announcement confirms the bout, it would set up one of the most anticipated lightweight title fights in recent years; if it does not, Tsarukyan will be left waiting once again.