UFC 317 is confirmed to proceed as scheduled following Friday`s weigh-ins. A minor change occurred when Christopher Ewert was immediately released by the UFC for missing weight.
Significantly, all participants in the two championship bouts set for June 28th successfully made weight. This included Ilia Topuria, who confidently celebrated hitting the mark. Charles Oliveira, who has faced weight-cutting challenges in the past, particularly when he lost his title on the scale, also had no trouble making the lightweight limit this time, much to the relief of fans.
The official backup fighter for the main event also successfully weighed in at the lightweight limit. This development prompted questions among fans about whether this action would automatically position him as the next challenger for the winner of the vacant lightweight championship.
UFC President Dana White recently clarified the situation regarding Arman Tsarukyan, the backup fighter, in an interview with Helen Yee Sports. Tsarukyan, ranked #1 in the lightweight division, successfully made the 155-pound weight limit as the official alternate but was ultimately not needed for the main event. This followed his withdrawal from a planned title fight against Islam Makhachev at UFC 311 due to a back injury just hours before the weigh-in.
While being a backup fighter doesn`t always guarantee the next title opportunity, it has happened before. However, White explicitly stated that Tsarukyan`s act of making weight for UFC 317 does not mean he will automatically get the next shot at the title.
Despite this, White viewed it positively, describing it as:
“No. It`s a good step in the right direction, let`s put it that way.”
Adding to his readiness, Arman Tsarukyan mentioned during the UFC 317 weigh-in broadcast that he is willing to serve as a backup again for another major lightweight fight happening next month. This would be for the UFC 318 bout between Dustin Poirier and Max Holloway, a fight potentially marking Poirier`s retirement. As of now, no official backup for that fight has been named.
Dan Hooker had previously indicated he was asked about this backup role for UFC 318 but was unable to commit due to injuries. Tsarukyan appears eager to demonstrate his ability to consistently make weight, especially following his withdrawal from UFC 311. He told Sportsnet he is available if the UFC requires his services.
For now, Tsarukyan will observe from the side as the new lightweight champion is crowned in the UFC 317 main event.
Jack Thornley