Arman Tsarukyan has some interesting points to ponder regarding the UFC lightweight scenario. As a matter of fact, the top of the lightweight division looks overly complicated at the moment. While Islam Makhachev is the champ, several names are doing the rounds as his opponent. This includes Ilia Topuria, Justin Gaethje, Charles Oliveira, and Tsarukyan himself. However, despite the confusion, Tsarukyan seems to know what exactly is going to happen.
Tsarukyan recently appeared on the ‘Jaxxon Podcast.’ Speaking about the topic, he stated that it should be Topuria who would face the champion. Tsarukyan also stated that Makhachev might make a move to the welterweight division if he manages to beat ‘El Matador.’
“Islam doesn’t want to fight him because if he wins, people gonna say ‘you again beat 145 fighters’. If Islam beats me, I think he’s done with this division. He beat everybody, he just gotta beat me then people can say that… If [Islam] doesn’t move, then yea [he will fight Topuria],” said Tsarukyan.
Arman Tsarukyan talks about the lightweight title picture, and believes that Ilia Topuria will 'for sure' fight for the title next:
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) April 16, 2025
"I think [Ilia] is gonna fight for the belt, for sure. I think he left 145 because they said 'we gonna give you title fight'.
Islam doesn't want… pic.twitter.com/KZChPrUiBi
Meanwhile, with the tensions growing at the top of the table, Tsarukyan seems to have picked up a beef with Justin Gaethje.
Arman Tsarukyan Unimpressed With Justin Gaethje
After suffering a thundering KO at UFC 300, Justin Gaethje came back with a strong performance. He went up against Rafael Fiziev and put him over with a dominant display. However, despite getting the victory, Gaethje’s in-octagon shenanigans did not impress Arman Tsarukyan.
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“You barely got past #11 on short notice, and before that, you got sent to the shadow realm,” Tsarukyan said in a recent statement.
Arman Tsarukyan tells Justin Gaethje he has to go through him before getting a title shot:
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) March 12, 2025
"You barely got past #11 on short notice, and before that, you got sent to the shadow realm." 😳#UFC #MMA pic.twitter.com/0jCbACo7IL
This was a significant statement as Gaethje expressed his desire to fight for the title. Thus, with the division looking quite complicated at the moment, it remains to be seen what happens next.
Also Read: Paddy Pimblett And Arman Tsarukyan Trade Blows In Heated War Of Words Ahead Of UFC 314 Showdown
