Michael Bisping: BMF champ can leapfrog Arman Tsarukyan for title shot

Bisping thinks the winner of Holloway vs. Oliveira could jump ahead of Tsarukyan for a title fight.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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Michael Bisping believes that the winner of the UFC 326 main event between Max Holloway and Charles Oliveira could potentially leapfrog Arman Tsarukyan in the lightweight title picture. Tsarukyan has been the rightful No. 1 contender, but recent incidents like withdrawing from a fight and head-butting an opponent have complicated his path to a title shot. Bisping suggests that if Holloway and Oliveira put on an impressive performance, the UFC may decide to give the winner a title shot against either interim champion Justin Gaethje or undisputed champion Ilia Topuria, even if it means bypassing Tsarukyan.

Why it matters

This story highlights the fluid and unpredictable nature of title contention in the UFC, where high-profile matchups and exciting performances can sometimes take precedence over the traditional rankings system. It also raises questions about how the UFC will handle Tsarukyan's status as the top contender, and whether he will get the next title shot or if the promotion will opt for a more marketable fight.

The details

Tsarukyan (23-3 MMA, 10-2 UFC) was expected to be the next challenger for the lightweight title, but recent issues like withdrawing from a fight and a weigh-in altercation have complicated his path. Meanwhile, the UFC 326 main event between Max Holloway (27-8 MMA, 23-8 UFC) and Charles Oliveira (36-11 MMA, 24-11 UFC) for the BMF title could produce a fighter who Bisping believes could potentially jump ahead of Tsarukyan for a title shot, especially if they put on an impressive performance.

  • UFC 326 is scheduled for March 7, 2026.
  • Tsarukyan is scheduled to compete in the co-main event of RAF 6 on Saturday in Tempe, Arizona.

The players

Michael Bisping

A former UFC middleweight champion and current MMA analyst.

Arman Tsarukyan

A top-ranked UFC lightweight contender with a 23-3 professional record.

Max Holloway

The current UFC BMF (Baddest Motherf****r) champion, with a 27-8 professional record.

Charles Oliveira

A former UFC lightweight champion, with a 36-11 professional record.

Justin Gaethje

The current UFC interim lightweight champion.

Ilia Topuria

The current UFC undisputed lightweight champion.

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What they’re saying

“Will they leapfrog Arman Tsarukyan? Arman Tsarukyan, as we know, is out there, he's talking, he's pissed off, he's the rightful No. 1 contender, and all the rest of it. He's not. There's an interim champion. That fight needs to happen. But if Charles Oliveira and Max Holloway go out there and do something crazy, if we get Charles Oliveira finishing Max Holloway in sensational fashion, jumping over the octagon, running into the crowd like Jose Aldo in Rio de Janeiro, or like Charles Oliveira last time, in October in Rio de Janeiro? If something like that happens and the fans want it, guess what? Ilia Topuria or Justin Gaethje, they would welcome it. Being the BMF champ as well, there would be a potential that you would have the undisputed belt and the BMF belt both on the line in the same fight. Would that gazump Arman Tsarukyan? I don't know.”

— Michael Bisping, Former UFC Middleweight Champion and MMA Analyst (YouTube)

What’s next

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The takeaway

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