Arman Tsarukyan stated that a bout with Islam Makhachev is unlikely to happen, as Makhachev will retire after a couple more fights. Tsarukyan boldly predicted that within a year, he will take over the sport and become the face of the UFC once he captures the title. Dana White commented that he likes Tsarukyan's current activity level and that all Arman needs to do to earn a title shot is avoid acting like a "maniac." The post also mentioned ongoing back-and-forth accusations between Makhachev and Ilia Topuria, though details were described as unclear. Michael Bisping and Daniel Cormier were announced as the new coaching pair for an upcoming season of The Ultimate Fighter.
Arman Tsarukyan has set a bold public target, declaring that he will capture UFC gold and become the face of the promotion within a year, while also dismissing the prospect of ever meeting Islam Makhachev inside the octagon.
Tsarukyan, 29, enters this moment as the number-one ranked lightweight contender carrying a 23-3 record. The Russian product of American Top Team is one of the division's most complete threats, averaging 3.85 significant strikes per minute and an imposing 3.26 takedowns per 15 minutes with a 72-inch reach that gives him considerable physical advantages at 170 cm tall. His reasoning for ruling out a Makhachev fight was blunt: he believes the champion will retire after a few more bouts, making the matchup a non-starter.
That champion, Islam Makhachev, currently holds welterweight gold and sits atop the pound-for-pound rankings at 34 years old with a 28-1 record. The Eagles MMA product connects on 58 percent of his significant strikes — an elite accuracy mark — and complements that with 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes, making him one of the most well-rounded fighters in the sport.
UFC president Dana White weighed in on Tsarukyan's title ambitions, offering measured encouragement. White praised Arman's recent activity level and indicated a title shot is within reach, provided Tsarukyan stays composed and avoids erratic behavior — phrasing it as simply not acting like a "maniac."
Separately, the lightweight division is generating additional noise through an ongoing public dispute between Makhachev and Ilia Topuria, the number-two ranked contender at 29 years old who holds a 17-1 record and leads all lightweights in striking output at 4.81 significant strikes per minute. The specifics of their exchange remain unclear.
In other UFC news, Michael Bisping and Daniel Cormier were confirmed as coaches for an upcoming season of The Ultimate Fighter.
Why it matters
- Tsarukyan's status as the top-ranked lightweight positions him as the next mandatory challenger if he stays active and disciplined
- Makhachev's retirement timeline, if accurate, could reshape the entire lightweight title picture
- The Makhachev-Topuria back-and-forth adds a second credible contender thread running simultaneously at 155 pounds
