MMA April Fool’s Day: Justin Gaethje pulled from UFC White House card, Tsarukyan claims replacement
justin gaethje was named as out of the June 14 UFC White House lineup when Arman Tsarukyan posted on Instagram on April 1 (ET), claiming he would step in and face Ilia Topuria; the post carried clear April Fool’s Day theater and read, “I guess it’s my lucky day. Get well soon, Justin. ” The announcement arrived as the calendar barely flipped to April 1 (ET) and landed amid a wave of combat-sports pranks. UFC officials have not been quoted in the post that sparked the social-media reaction.
What happened and why it matters
Arman Tsarukyan, identified in public coverage as the No. 1 lightweight contender and a grappling enthusiast, took to Instagram early on April 1 (ET) to say his grudge match with Ilia Topuria is set to headline UFC White House with justin gaethje out of the card. The post explicitly removed justin gaethje from the June 14 (ET) lineup and framed the message as a cheeky April Fool’s Day interruption: “I guess it’s my lucky day, ” followed by, “Get well soon, Justin. ” The claim immediately circulated among fans and fighters because the matchup and the event carry high-profile stakes inside the lightweight division.
Immediate reactions
Arman Tsarukyan, No. 1 lightweight contender, wrote on Instagram: “I guess it’s my lucky day. Get well soon, Justin. ” The tone of the post and the timing — the first hours of April 1 (ET) — aligned it with a broader pattern of April Fool’s Day posts across the sport, where fighters publish fake title shots, retirements, or other pranks. Other named fighters were mentioned in the same round of April 1 coverage as participating in social-media shenanigans, underscoring how quickly a cheeky post can drive conversation around a marquee event.
Quick context
April Fool’s Day often produces false starts and prank announcements in combat sports; early-April posts have previously included fake fight announcements and shock retirements. The June 14 (ET) UFC White House card was cited in the claim as the event affected by the social-media message.
What’s next
Promotional confirmation or an official lineup update is the next immediate development fans will watch for, as the claim by Tsarukyan remains a social-media assertion placed on April 1 (ET). Meanwhile, the post puts justin gaethje’s status for the June 14 (ET) card under public scrutiny until the UFC or event organizers issue formal confirmation or denial; fighters and followers will likely await that clarification in the coming hours and days.
