What happened
Ariel Helwani posted that Arman Tsarukyan was in Khamzat Chimaev's corner during UFC 328 in Newark on May 9, 2026. The appearance placed Tsarukyan alongside the middleweight champion during Chimaev's title fight with Sean Strickland. No fight involving Tsarukyan was announced in the signal itself.
Why it matters
The post matters because Tsarukyan keeps showing up around major UFC title storylines even while he waits on his own next assignment at lightweight. It also adds context to his current visibility after Dana White confirmed him as the backup fighter for the June 14 lightweight title bout between Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje.
The data edge
UFC 328 took place May 9, 2026, at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, with Chimaev defending the middleweight title against Sean Strickland. UFC's event page listed Chimaev at -575 and Strickland at +425. Separate reporting on May 9 confirmed Tsarukyan as the backup for the June 14, 2026 lightweight title fight between Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje.
What to watch
Watch for any post-fight comments from Chimaev, Tsarukyan or UFC officials about the corner appearance. Tsarukyan's next formal UFC role remains his reported backup assignment for the June 14 lightweight title fight.