Austin, TX – UFC lightweight Arman Tsarukyan looks to continue his win streak and get to a title shot with a victory over Beneil Dariush at UFC Austin on Saturday night.
“Finally I got big fight. So excited. Can’t wait to fight,” Tsarukyan told reporters on Wednesday.
The #8 ranked Tsarukyan draws the #4 ranked Dariush who many believe should have already fought for the UFC lightweight title. A win over someone like Dariush could catapult Tsarukyan towards a title shot of his own.
“If I finish him I can talk about title fight, you know,” Tsarukyan said.
Even with a finish over Dariush the top of the division is so stacked that Tsarukyan may be forced to wait. The likes of Justin Gaethje, Charles Oliveira and even Dustin Poirier stand in his way.
“For me doesn’t matter. I’m just looking for a victory this weekend, and after that if they want to tell me (I) need 3 more fights, I’m going to fight three more times and then get the title fight,” he said.
“My goal is fight next year for the title.”
Even if it doesn’t get him a title shot next Tsarukyan knows a win over Dariush means a bigger matchup. He could make himself undeniable for a title shot.
“It’s a big opportunity for me. To get elite fighters from top five. To be in top five it’s a different game. It’s big names,” said Tsarukyan.
“I know I got to be there and I deserve to be there. Hopefully after this weekend I’m going to be in top five and I can talk about big fights and about title fight.”
Watch the entire media day scrum with Arman Tsarukyan above. He takes on Beneil Dariush at UFC Austin on Saturday night.
