Arman Tsarukyan is less than seven days away from his UFC 311 PPV headliner title bout against Islam Makhachev. Ahead of this, reigning featherweight Ilia Topuria has teased a division change to challenge Makhachev’s 155-pound title. The No. 1 ranked Tsarukyan thinks the Georgian-Spanish fighter would be a stellar addition to the lightweight division.
It’s not the first time the Armenian fighter has praised Ilia Topuria’s mettle. Arman Tsarukyan, who shares a Georgian birth root with Topuria, has always praised his domination and success. ‘El Matador’ (16-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) moving up in weight seems inevitable in his career. On the cusp of probably grabbing gold, Tsarukyan thinks he’d be a good fit in what’s being a historically talented division.
He should move to 155 because he has a big name, …As much as we have big names in our division, it’s better for us…It’s still famous – 155 is one of the best, in my opinion, has one of the best fighters because of Conor, Khabib, Islam, Poirier, Gaethje – there’s so many big names…If Ilia move to 155, it’s going to be good for us.
Arman Tsarukyan to MMAJunkie’s Mike Bohn
UFC’s lightweight roster has been historically talented indeed, with names like Makhachev, his mentor Khabib Nurmagomedov, Charles Oliveira, and others. Even former P4P king and featherweight great Alexander Volkanovski tried his bid to rise to 155. “El Matador,” who won his gold from Volk, seems like a good addition.
Arman Tsarukyan thinks Ilia Topuria would be a stellar addition to the UFC lightweight division.
“He has a big name. As much as we have big names in our division, it’s better for us.”
(via @MikeBohn) pic.twitter.com/QEDGruEpV1
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) January 11, 2025
Interestingly enough, Ilia Topuria may show up at UFC 311 to corner Merab Dvalishvili. If so, he’ll be there as a very interested party for the lightweight title bout. The 28-year-old knockout artist might just end up facing the Armenian fighter. But for now, Tsarukyan focusing on Islam Makhachev, who happens to be the current No. 1 pound-for-pound in the UFC’s official rankings.
Arman Tsarukyan before UFC 311: Islam Makhachev ‘not as good’ as people make him out to be
Many, except maybe UFC CEO Dana White, see Islam Makhachev as the current best Men’s pound-for-pound. He snapped Volk’s 12-fight UFC win streak, and Oliveira’s 11-fight streak in title affairs. He has beaten all-around veterans like Dustin Poirier as well.
Arman Tsarukyan ready for Islam Makhachev (Source: X)Makhachev ties for the most UFC lightweight title affair [4] and a historic three defenses in his reign, yet. Arman Tsarukyan, though, has his reservations. The duo already have a history before fighting in the main event of UFC 311. Now, the Armenian fighter lectured everyone on what the reality is.
He’s not that good like people think, …People think he’s unbeatable, like crazy wrestling, but like I took him down when I was 22 years old. First of all, I know how to wrestle very well, …Second, I’m young and hungry. I’ve never had the belt, so it drives me very well. I have a lot of energy for the trainings and I believe I’m the guy who’s going to beat him.
Arman Tsarukyan ESPN’s Brett Okamoto in UFC 311 pre-fight media check-in
A 22-year-old Tsarukyan gave Islam Makhachev a run for his money, but lost a decision. With the nature of the short-notice debut loss, he thinks he’s the only guy at 155 pounds equipped to beat Makhachev. Given Makhachev’s current status and their past counter, DraftKings Sportsbook opens him as a moderate favorite at -265. Underdog or not, Tsarukyan means to prove why he clings to thinking he’ll be champion.
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