Tsarukyan was rumored to be booked against Oliveira on Sept. 19 in Los Angeles, but the matchup was scrapped before the Ultimate Fighting Championship officially announced the card. He will instead meet surging Brazilian contender Mauricio Ruffy at UFC 331.
Arman Tsarukyan believes Charles Oliveira preferred a potential Diego Lopes fight
Tsarukyan questioned Oliveira's withdrawal during a recent interview, saying the UFC told him the Brazilian needed time away from training following the recent death of his longtime Chute Boxe teammate, Alan Nascimento.
“I was supposed to be fighting Charles Oliveira in the co-main event, five rounds, when I was in the mountains they called me and said ‘We’ve got a new name for you,’” Tsarukyan told Ariel Helwani. “I said, ‘No problem.’ [The reason the UFC gave for the withdrawal] was because Charles’ friend died and he cannot train. But I don’t understand, in three or four days he’s doing live streaming and back in camp.”
Tsarukyan believes Oliveira is now pivoting towards Diego Lopes.
“They probably already set up a fight with Diego Lopes,” Tsarukyan added. “[Oliveira] was just finding an excuse and now he’s found the excuse. But he could beat me and dedicate the victory to his friend. Of course, fight me or Diego Lopes? Of course, he would choose Diego Lopes.”
Tsarukyan beat Oliveira in a three-round bout at UFC 300 via split decision, with many claiming the latter deserved the judges’ nod on the night