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Arman Tsarukyan has been desperately searching for an opponent as he looks to make a push towards title contention, and although it was suggested that he would be matched up against a former champion, those rumors have been quashed.
The American Top Team prospect has been ascending through the rankings at lightweight and finds himself back in the winner's column after a setback against Mateusz Gamrot last year. His latest outing saw him earn a decision victory over fellow rising star Damir Ismagulov at the UFC's final event of 2022.
In a post on social media, former lightweight king Rafael dos Anjos has put an end to rumors that he will be stepping in to face Arman Tsarukyan on April 29, insisting that it would take a lot of incentive to convince him to compete at 155 again.
"100% false" Dos Anjos said when referring to the rumored Tsarukyan clash. "Some lightweights keep calling me out. I don't fight at lightweight anymore, unless there's a lot of money involved. I might as well stay at welterweight, eat well and have a longer career."
Arman Tsarukyan is currently ranked at #8 in the division but will have a hard time finding an opponent ahead of him in the rankings as the top 7 of the lightweight division is almost entirely booked up.
The two men without a fight scheduled are Mateusz Gamrot—a fighter who has recently beaten him—and Dustin Poirier, who is unlikely to take a risky fight as he arguably finds himself one win away from a title shot.
If not Arman Tsarukyan, who's next for Rafael dos Anjos?
With the Tsarukyan fight reports being dismissed, who is a realistic next opponent to face Rafael dos Anjos when the South American returns to the octagon later this year?
After losing to Rafael Fiziev, the 38-year-old announced that he will be eyeing fights that interest him stylistically or against fellow veterans as opposed to chasing a UFC title, leaving the door open for a number of big fights.
Dos Anjos went on to earn a second-round submission over Bryan Barberena and is now searching for his next opponent. Although it seems unlikely, the Brazilian has stated that Nick Diaz is his dream fight in the division.
