Arman Tsarukyan stated that a fight with Islam Makhachev is unlikely to happen, as Islam will retire after a couple more bouts. Tsarukyan expressed confidence that he will dominate the sport within a year 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 mentions tension between Islam and Ilia Topuria, but indicates the full truth has not yet emerged. Additionally, Robert Whittaker denied rumors about a potential bout with Magomed Ankalaev.
Arman Tsarukyan has declared that a showdown with lightweight champion Islam Makhachev is unlikely to materialize, predicting Makhachev will retire after just a few more bouts, and vowed to become the face of the UFC within a year once he captures the title.
Makhachev, 34, carries a 28-1 record and holds the lightweight title, though the verified data lists him competing at welterweight. The Russian southpaw is one of the sport's most complete fighters, landing 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes and converting strikes at a 58 percent accuracy rate. Tsarukyan's remarks suggest he believes the window for a title unification clash is closing fast.
UFC president Dana White weighed in, indicating he approves of Tsarukyan's recent activity inside the octagon and said the Armenian contender simply needs to stay composed and avoid erratic behavior to earn his title opportunity.
The interview also touched on friction between Makhachev and pound-for-pound number one Ilia Topuria, the Spanish-Georgian featherweight ranked second in the lightweight division at 17-1. Tsarukyan suggested the full story behind that tension has yet to surface publicly.
Separately, former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker moved to shut down speculation linking him to a bout with light heavyweight contender Magomed Ankalaev, flatly denying any such fight is in the works. Ankalaev, 34, holds a 21-2-1 record and sits ranked first in the light heavyweight division at a pound-for-pound ranking of fifth. The Dagestan native stands six-foot-three with a 75-inch reach and lands significant strikes at a rate of 3.65 per minute.
Why it matters
- Tsarukyan's timeline puts pressure on the lightweight title picture heading into the second half of 2026
- Makhachev's perceived proximity to retirement could reshape the entire 155-pound divisional hierarchy
- Topuria's tension with Makhachev adds another layer of complexity to lightweight title contention
- Whittaker's denial closes off a cross-divisional matchup that had drawn speculation
