Conor McGregor has faced a mountain of criticism after his comeback to the UFC following a five year layoff ended with a devastating knee injury just 66 seconds into the fight.
Ever since UFC 329 ended, McGregor has stated rather emphatically that he plans to compete again, although there are more than a few skeptics doubting that he’ll ever make another return to action. For his part, top ranked UFC lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan obviously understands McGregor’s desire but he just doesn’t see how or why the former two-division UFC champion would fight again.
Add to that, Tsarukyan actually praised McGregor for everything he’s already accomplished in the sport so a comeback at this stage just doesn’t make much sense to him.
“Conor, unfortunately he got [an] injury during the fight or maybe before the fight and he couldn’t perform very well,” Tsarukyan told MMA Fighting ahead of RAF 11. “I feel like Conor is done. He’s got to just focus on his business. He did a lot for this sport, for the UFC especially, and he’s like a GOAT in our sport. Because of him, a lot of people are watching the UFC.
“He changed the game but time to leave. Or UFC got to give him easy fights, not like Holloway or someone.”
Of course, McGregor already said he wants a third fight with Holloway when he’s recovered from the upcoming surgery on his knee but there’s no telling if or when that might happen.
Whether McGregor ever fights again or not really doesn’t affect Tsarukyan because he’s not chasing that kind of matchup but rather he’s steadfast in his pursuit to become UFC lightweight champion.
By all accounts, Tsarukyan should be considered the No. 1 contender at 155 pounds but he’s yet to compete in a title fight in the UFC. In his only opportunity, Tsarukyan suffered a freak fight week injury that knocked him out of a scheduled bout against then champion Islam Makhachev.
But with Justin Gaethje now reigning over the division, Tsarukyan would love the chance to challenge for that belt, although it doesn’t sound like that’s what the UFC has planned for him next.
“UFC’s got to give me a fight,” Tsarukyan said. “That’s why I’m flying to Vegas and they have a date, I have a name, we’ve just go to confirm on Monday. I’m ready to rock ‘n’ roll. It’s going to be a good fight, exciting fight and the best place to fight for me.”
Tsarukyan wouldn’t tease his potential opponent or when he’ll fight again but it appears his time away from the UFC is about to come to an end.
Whether the title shot is next or not, Tsarukyan made it clear that remains his sole objective in the UFC and he plans on wrapping gold around his waist — hopefully sooner than later.
“I want to be a champion at 155 and I want to defend that belt as much as possible,” Tsarukyan said. “My goal is to be the best ever lightweight. I’m not looking to go up or down. I feel like I can be the best, I just don’t want to be a UFC champion. I want to be the best UFC champion in lightweight division ever.”
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