Arman Tsarukyan was originally scheduled to fight in January 2025 but failed to appear for the weigh-in.
The Armenian lightweight was set to face Islam Makhachev as the official title challenger.
Speculation quickly spread regarding his absence from UFC 311 — some claimed he had suffered an injury, while others suggested he would not make weight.
In the days leading up to the event, Tsarukyan showed no visible signs of injury, leading many to believe the real issue was his weight cut.
Shortly afterward, the fighter released a statement to clarify the situation:
“I regret to inform everyone that the news is true — I had to withdraw from UFC 311 due to a back injury. This was the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make in my career as a fighter. I’d like to thank the UFC for their understanding, and I look forward to competing for my first UFC Championship in the future. Thank you all for your support.”
Despite citing a physical setback, the UFC did not grant Tsarukyan another opportunity to return to the octagon until now.
A year ago, he was supposed to defeat Makhachev to claim the lightweight belt. Now, his path to the title leads through current champion Ilia Topuria.
Arman Tsarukyan (22–3) is set to make his comeback on November 22, facing Dan Hooker (24–12) at UFC Fight Night.
In preparation, Tsarukyan has adopted a highly disciplined routine centered around both training and recovery — sleeping between 10 and 11 hours a day.
His first training session takes place right after waking up: a light, one-hour workout followed by breakfast and a short nap.
The second session begins at noon, after which he eats lunch and rests again. The final session starts at 5:30 p.m.; afterward, he eats dinner, takes a brief walk, and heads to bed.
In total, Tsarukyan sleeps 8–9 hours at night and 2–3 hours during the day, divided into short naps after each workout.
By maintaining this rigorous schedule, Arman Tsarukyan aims to add another victory to his record and remind fans of the talent that once put him on the verge of a UFC title shot.