Arman Tsarukyan releases first statement after UFC 311 main event scratch

Arman Tsarukyan has released his first statement since being forced out of the UFC 311 main event with Islam Makhachev.

During Friday’s official weigh-ins ahead of the UFC’s first pay-per-view event of the year, UFC CEO Dana White announced that Tsarukyan would no longer challenge Islam Makhachev for the lightweight championship due to injury and that Renato Moicano would step in. On his Instagram page, Tsarukyan said the decision to withdraw from his second opportunity to meet Makhachev was not an easy one.

“UFC and UFC fans,” wrote Tsarykyan. “I am sorry to inform everyone that the news is that I had to pull out of UFC 311 with a back injury. This was the hardest decision I have ever had to make in my fighting career. I will would like to thank the UFC for your understanding and I look forward to competing for my first UFC championship in the future. Thank you all for your support.”

Tsarukyan lost a competitive decision to Makhachev in his UFC debut in 2019 and earned back a rematch with the now-champion after defeating Charles Oliveira at UFC 300 last April.