Tsarukyan Submits Jimison at RAF 9, Named Backup for Topuria-Gaethje at UFC White House Event

Arman Tsarukyan defeated Keelon Jimison by first-round technical fall at RAF 9 on Saturday. The win marked Tsarukyan’s sixth fight of 2026. Tsarukyan is scheduled to face Colby Covington in July. Covington is set to fight Tony Ferguson on June 13.

Tsarukyan will also serve as the official backup for the UFC White House main event between Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje, which takes place on June 13. A matchup between Topuria and Islam Makhachev had been close to finalization for the White House card, but negotiations broke down over financial terms according to Topuria’s camp.

Tsarukyan said he expects the UFC to announce his next fight after the White House card concludes.

“I’m waiting for the White House card, they’re gonna fight, and then they’re gonna announce my next fight,” he said. Tsarukyan added that the timing of his next bout depends on the outcome. “It’s probably September or October or the end of this year, it depends on who wins.

If it’s Ilia, probably at the end of the year; if it’s Gaethje, it’s probably September or October,” he said. Tsarukyan assessed the main-event matchup. , so you never know… If the UFC lets (Topuria) move up, he’s gonna move up,” he said.

Tsarukyan argued that Topuria would benefit more from facing Islam Makhachev than from facing him. “It’s better to fight Islam than me because it’s for a third title, big money, and if he loses to Islam, it’s okay, but if he loses to me at 155lbs, he’s going to be gone,” he said. Makhachev last fought in November 2025, when he captured a second belt.

Com reported the details of Tsarukyan’s comments and schedule.