Arman Tsarukyan stated that a fight with Islam Makhachev is unlikely to happen, predicting that Makhachev will retire after a couple more bouts. Tsarukyan expressed confidence that within a year he will dominate 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 for a title shot is to stop behaving like a "maniac." The post also mentions ongoing back-and-forth accusations between Makhachev and Ilia Topuria, which the channel describes as a soap opera. Additionally, it notes that Michael Bisping and Daniel Cormier will coach the next season of The Ultimate Fighter.
Arman Tsarukyan has declared his intention to become the face of the UFC, while casting doubt on whether a long-anticipated fight with Islam Makhachev will ever take place.
The 29-year-old Russian, who trains out of American Top Team, currently holds the number-one lightweight contender spot with a record of 23-3-0. Tsarukyan predicted that Makhachev will retire after just a couple more bouts, suggesting the two may never share the octagon. He added that once he captures the title, he expects to dominate the sport within a year. Tsarukyan is a physical specimen for the division, standing five-foot-seven with a notably long 72-inch reach and averaging 3.26 takedowns per 15 minutes alongside 3.85 significant strikes landed per minute.
Makhachev, 34, is the reigning welterweight champion out of Russia's Eagles MMA and carries a 28-1-0 record. The southpaw has long been regarded as one of the sport's most complete fighters, posting a 58 percent striking accuracy and averaging 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes. He currently sits atop the pound-for-pound rankings.
UFC president Dana White weighed in on Tsarukyan's title pursuit, saying he approves of Arman's recent activity level but suggested the contender needs to stop behaving like a "maniac" to secure his shot at the belt.
Meanwhile, a separate war of words between Makhachev and number-two ranked lightweight Ilia Topuria continues to simmer. Topuria, 29, represents Spain and carries a 17-1-0 record with a pound-for-pound ranking of first. The hard-hitting orthodox fighter averages 4.81 significant strikes per minute, the highest output among the three men involved in this storyline.
Why it matters
- Tsarukyan holds the top lightweight contender ranking and is pushing hard for a title shot
- Makhachev's retirement comments, if accurate, could reshape the entire 155-pound division
- The ongoing Makhachev-Topuria feud adds another layer of complexity to lightweight title picture planning
- Dana White's public comments signal the promotion is watching Tsarukyan's behavior as closely as his performances
