Arman Tsarukyan thinks he’d have the advantage over UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria everywhere.
Tsarukyan (23-3 MMA, 9-2 UFC) hopes he’s next in line for Topuria, and has been doing his part to try and build their potential title fight. The 28-year-old was the No. 1 contender to start off the year but withdrew from his fight against Islam Makhachev just a day before UFC 311 in January.
He hasn’t fought since, but Tsarukyan is confident that he poses the biggest threat to Topuria (17-0 MMA, 9-0 UFC) – even in the striking.
“Of course I deserve it. I’m No. 1 contender, and they’ve got to give me this fight because I’m the next UFC champion. It’s my belt,” Tsarukyan said on the JAXXON Podcast. “He has just has one special thing, and it’s boxing. It’s not boxing, it’s MMA, and even in striking I’m better than him for sure. My kicks, elbows, my knees work always. He does just good boxing, and I can wrestle, as well. So, I just can’t wait to show everybody what’s my level.”
Tsarukyan’s plan is to ramp up his activity after having not fought since an April 2024 win over Charles Oliveira at UFC 300.
“I want to defend as much as possible,” Tsarukyan said. “I want to be the greatest fighter in the world because I know how I work, how I dedicate for this sport, and I know I’ve got to be the best in this sport. I love it so much, and I give myself to this sport, and it’s got to pay off.”
If Tsarukyan gets his fight with Topuria and dethrones him, he still has his sights set on Makhachev, who’s now a welterweight.
“I’ll be waiting for him (Makhachev) at 155,” Tsarukyan said.
