Arman Tsarukyan's Coach Welcomes Title Fight vs. Volkanovski or Gaethje

American Top Team coach Marcos “Parrumpa” da Matta supports a potential Ultimate Fighting Championship lightweight title fight between Alexander Volkanovski and Arman Tsarukyan if reigning champion Justin Gaethje does not defend his belt.

Speaking to Sherdog on Thursday, da Matta addressed Volkanovski’s willingness to face Tsarukyan for the 155-pound championship. While the longtime coach maintained that Tsarukyan clearly deserves the next title shot, he acknowledged that matchmaking hinges on the promotion and Gaethje. “It will depend a lot on Gaethje and the UFC,” da Matta said.

“If Gaethje wants to defend the belt, it's more than proven that the No. 1 who most deserves the title shot is Arman.”

At the same time, the Brazilian coach was receptive to Volkanovski stepping into the lightweight title picture. Praising the former featherweight champion as a sport legend who excels in all areas, da Matta echoed UFC CEO Dana White's stance: “As Dana White himself said, it's hard to say no to Volkanovski.”

Looking ahead, da Matta suggested February or March as a target timeframe for Tsarukyan’s return, favoring a proposed UFC event in Florida against either Gaethje or Volkanovski. “For me, as long as it's a title fight, either one would be perfect,” da Matta stated. “Our job is to go in there and win.”