Arman Tsarukyan stated that a fight with Islam Makhachev is unlikely, predicting Makhachev will retire after a couple more bouts. Tsarukyan declared that within a year he will take over the sport and become the face of the UFC, with only the title left to capture. Dana White commented that he likes Tsarukyan's current activity and said that to get a title shot, Arman just needs to stop acting like a maniac. The post also mentioned ongoing back-and-forth accusations between Makhachev and Topuria, which the channel described as a soap opera. Additional notes included Robert Whittaker denying rumors of a fight with Ankalaev, and Michael Bisping and Daniel Cormier set to coach the next season of The Ultimate Fighter.
Arman Tsarukyan has publicly declared his ambition to become the face of the UFC within a year, while casting doubt on whether a long-anticipated clash with lightweight champion Islam Makhachev will ever materialize.
Tsarukyan, who sits on the doorstep of the lightweight title picture, predicted that Makhachev will retire after just a couple more fights, suggesting the window for that matchup is closing fast. He stated that with only the championship remaining to capture, he expects to take over the sport entirely in the near term. UFC president Dana White weighed in on Tsarukyan's recent run of activity, saying he approves of the pace Arman has been operating at, but noted that earning a title shot requires Tsarukyan to stop behaving like a maniac.
Makhachev, 34, currently holds the welterweight title and carries a record of 28 wins and one loss. Fighting out of Russia under the Eagles MMA banner, the southpaw champion lands 2.63 significant strikes per minute at a 58 percent accuracy rate and averages 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes, making him one of the most complete fighters in the sport regardless of division. He is ranked first in the pound-for-pound standings.
Why it matters
- Tsarukyan's comments add pressure to the lightweight title picture and could accelerate matchmaking decisions at 155 pounds.
- Makhachev's future opponent remains unclear, with ongoing public disputes between him and featherweight champion Ilia Topuria adding further uncertainty — a back-and-forth that has drawn comparisons to a soap opera.
- Separately, middleweight contender Robert Whittaker, 35, who holds a 27-9 record and ranks sixth at 185 pounds, has denied reports that a fight with light heavyweight number-one contender Magomed Ankalaev is in the works.
- Michael Bisping and Daniel Cormier are set to serve as opposing coaches on the next season of The Ultimate Fighter.
