Arman Tsarukyan has been named the official backup for the UFC lightweight title unification fight between Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje, and he's not exactly thrilled about it. The No. 1 contender at 155 pounds finds himself in a familiar, frustrating role—ready to step in but hoping he doesn't have to.

"It's confirmed, but I haven't signed the contract yet," Tsarukyan told the Jaxxon Podcast, reacting to UFC President Dana White's announcement. The fight headlines UFC Freedom Fights 250 at the White House on June 14, but Tsarukyan is once again waiting in the wings.

This is déjà vu for the Armenian fighter. Last June, he served as the backup for the vacant lightweight title fight between Topuria and Charles Oliveira. While he's always hungry for a title shot, he admits these circumstances aren't ideal for chasing championship gold.

"I'm excited; if something happens, they call me," Tsarukyan said. "I'm the first guy who's going to jump in, and I'm getting ready for that. I'm already on my diet. It always sucks to be backup, but I have to do this, you know?"

Preparing for one elite opponent is tough enough, but having to be ready for two on short notice adds another layer of challenge. However, Tsarukyan isn't sweating the matchup specifics. "They're pretty similar—they don't wrestle, right? They strike," he noted. "If one guy was a wrestler and one was a striker, yeah, you'd have to bring two sparring partners. But I just need a striker because they're not going to shoot for takedowns."

For fans and fighters alike, the backup role is a high-stakes waiting game. Tsarukyan is staying ready, staying disciplined, and hoping his moment finally arrives—even if it means stepping in on short notice.