Arman Tsarukyan The Shocking Truth Behind His UFC 311 Withdrawal and the Nina Marie Danielle Controversy

UFC lightweight star Arman Tsarukyan has found himself at the center of a heated debate after withdrawing from the highly anticipated UFC 311 main event against Islam Makhachev. The fight was poised to be a career-defining moment for Tsarukyan, but an unexpected back injury forced him to pull out just days before the showdown. Fans were quick to speculate that the injury may have occurred during a media obligation with MMA media personality Nina Marie Danielle, where intense wrestling and stretching drills seemed to strain his back and neck.

Injury Revelation and the Nina Drama

As speculation grew over the cause of his injury, Tsarukyan addressed the rumors in a candid interview on Ariel Helwani’s show. He was quick to clarify that the drills he had done with Nina Marie Danielle were part of his daily warm-up routine, something he was comfortable with and had done many times before without issue. Tsarukyan explained, “I didn’t feel anything; I was good and ready. I was training very hard, and during the week, I had good energy and no problems. It just happened, you know.” Despite the growing criticism from some fans, Tsarukyan stuck to his story, emphasizing that he wasn’t injured during training but that the injury developed later, likely due to weight cutting and dehydration.

Weight Cutting and Dehydration: The Hidden Culprits?

Tsarukyan further revealed that the intense weight-cutting process for the fight, coupled with dehydration, could have contributed to the back pain that ultimately led to his withdrawal. “When I started cutting weight, it was because of dehydration. Maybe because of that, it happened as well,” he said. This revelation added another layer to the controversy, with some fans questioning whether the injury was truly caused by weight cutting or was simply a convenient excuse to cover up for a more serious issue.

Dana White’s Response: A Missed Opportunity?

With Tsarukyan’s withdrawal, many fans wondered about his future in the UFC. Dana White was quick to address the situation at the post-fight presser, stating that Tsarukyan would need to go “back to the drawing board” after missing such a critical opportunity. White reiterated that no fighter should ever compete while injured but also acknowledged that sometimes, opportunities are lost, and Tsarukyan’s chance for a title shot slipped through his fingers. The question remains—will Tsarukyan bounce back from this setback and earn another shot at Islam Makhachev?

Coach’s Insight: The Domino Effect of Injury

In a separate interview with MMA Junkie, Tsarukyan’s coach, Marcos ‘Parrumpa’ DaMatta, shed more light on the circumstances surrounding the injury. DaMatta revealed that Tsarukyan had been dealing with the back pain for nearly a week before the event. However, the situation worsened as the weight-cutting process intensified. By Thursday, just one day before the fight, Tsarukyan was unable to even stand due to the pain. “His weight was going down a little bit; he was really good on weight, so that’s one of the reasons why this back pain arose,” DaMatta explained. Despite this, Tsarukyan was determined to fight, but the severity of the injury made it impossible.

What’s Next for Arman Tsarukyan?

With a title shot now out of the picture, Tsarukyan faces a long road ahead. Dana White has stated that he will need to regroup and focus on earning another shot at the lightweight title. This means that Tsarukyan must prove his resilience by recovering from this injury and securing some victories in the UFC before being considered for a future title bout.

As fans continue to debate whether Tsarukyan was truly honest about his injury or simply making excuses, one thing is certain: the road back to a title shot won’t be easy. The question remains: Can he recover from this setback and fight his way back to the top?