Nobody needs to struggle Arman Tsarukyan.
The No. 1 ranked light-weight contender continues to be the least widespread potential opponent for everybody at 155 kilos, together with the brand new champion Ilia Topuria. Earlier than that, Islam Makhachev begrudgingly gave “Akhalkalakets” a title shot — solely to have the Armenian fighter withdraw attributable to a again drawback throughout his weight reduce.
Tsarukyan has since made weight because the backup for Topuria’s struggle for Makhachev’s vacated light-weight title, however that wasn’t sufficient for “El Matador” to contemplate him a dependable opponent. He needs to see Tsarukyan struggle at the very least as soon as extra earlier than even contemplating him as a contender.
Ilia Topuria says he would vacate his title earlier than giving Arman Tsarukyan the subsequent title shot
“They’re gonna give him a struggle earlier than the title shot… I am the world champion. I am by no means gonna give him an opportunity… If that is the case, take my belt.”
@nelkboys pic.twitter.com/eZjrY2gvrk
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) July 24, 2025
“Pay attention: once you put a lot effort on this sport and you’ve got a man in entrance who, you don’t know, that perhaps he might pull out from the struggle?” Topuria stated in an interview with the Nelk Boys. “That’s not one thing good for us.”
“‘Ah, my again!’ Bro, I don’t f—ing care. They’re going to present him a struggle earlier than a title shot. As a result of there is no such thing as a means — I’m the world champion. I’m by no means going to present him an opportunity to struggle for the title. I might be like, ‘Pay attention, if that’s the case, take my belt.’ I don’t do it.”
Topuria isn’t out of line demanding that Tsarukyan really compete at 155 once more earlier than getting a title shot. However by the tip he seemed like he would by no means think about Arman as a contender, which is loopy. Let’s not get it twisted: Tsarukyan is definitely the hardest opponent for Topuria at light-weight proper now. That used to imply one thing.
Think about calling your self a champion, however you’re already searching for a means out. You’ll be able to vacate it, or I’ll take it. Both means, it’s mine. https://t.co/37ioTAt2vk
— Arman Tsarukyan UFC (@ArmanUfc) July 24, 2025
Tsarukyan commented on Topuria’s sturdy phrases in a X (previously Twitter) reply.
“Think about calling your self a champion, however you’re already searching for a means out,” he wrote. “You’ll be able to vacate it, or I’ll take it. Both means, it’s mine.”
There’s nonetheless no clear signal as to who Topuria would possibly face in his first light-weight title protection. It may very well be Paddy Pimblett, it may very well be Justin Gaethje, it might even be Max Holloway once more for the BMF belt. It definitely gained’t be Arman Tsarukyan, if “El Matador” has something to do with it.
