Arman Tsarukyan Calls Out Ilia Topuria’s Glove Excuses After UFC Freedom 250

During the UFC 331 press conference, Arman Tsarukyan didn’t mince words when asked about Ilia Topuria’s out‑of‑left‑field complaint that Justin Gaethje’s gloves were somehow “tampered” with at UFC Freedom 250. The Armenian lightweight brushed off the claim as nothing more than a weak excuse.

“Just excuses,” Tsarukyan said, his tone a mix of irritation and sarcasm. “How can the commission let him wear different gloves? They check everything. It’s just an excuse.” He added that the real work should be looking inward: “You have to start with what you did wrong, not hunting for glove conspiracies.”

Topuria, who lost his lightweight belt and his undefeated streak to Gaethje, had publicly suggested that something was hidden inside the gloves, implying it contributed to his defeat. No evidence was ever presented, and the Nevada State Athletic Commission confirmed the gloves passed all standard inspections.

For Tsarukyan, the glove talk feels like an attempt to dodge responsibility. “If you keep pointing at the gloves, you’re not learning,” he told Sportskeeda’s Carlos Contreras Legaspi. “Every fighter gets a bad night. You either grow from it or you stay stuck in excuses.”

The timing of the jab couldn’t be more convenient. Tsarukyan is gearing up for a high‑stakes co‑main‑event against Mauricio Ruffy at UFC 331. A win could catapult him straight into title‑contender conversation, while a loss might shut the door on any future championship hopes.

“I’m treating Mauricio like a title fight,” Tsarukyan said in a social‑media post. “If I lose, I may never get another shot. I’m hungry, I’m motivated, and I’m ready to prove I belong at the top.” The fight promises fireworks, with both men sporting powerful striking and a hunger for redemption.

Meanwhile, Gaethje, still the lightweight champion, is reportedly eyeing a 2027 return, according to his manager Ali Abdelaziz. The champion’s future opponent remains a mystery, but the lightweight division is already buzzing with speculation.

Topuria, for his part, hinted he’s on the mend after the loss but stayed mum on his next opponent. Fans are left wondering if he’ll rebound quickly or linger in the shadow of his glove controversy.

In the end, Tsarukyan’s message is clear: excuses won’t earn you a title shot. It’s performance inside the octagon that counts, and he’s ready to let his fists do the talking at UFC 331.