Arman Tsarukyan stated that a fight with Islam Makhachev is unlikely as Makhachev will retire after a couple more fights, and declared he will take over the sport within a year. Tsarukyan claimed he will become the face of the UFC once he captures the title, saying people will think of UFC when they see him. Dana White commented that he likes Tsarukyan's current activity level and that all he needs for a title shot is to stop acting like a "maniac." The post also mentions Robert Whittaker denied rumors about fighting Magomed Ankalaev, and that Paulo Costa said he loves fighting Russians because they are tough like Brazilians. Additionally, Michael Bisping and Daniel Cormier will be coaches on the next season of The Ultimate Fighter.
Lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan has made a bold public declaration, stating he expects to capture UFC gold and become the face of the promotion within a year.
Tsarukyan, who is chasing the lightweight title, expressed confidence that champion Islam Makhachev's time at the top is nearing its end, suggesting Makhachev will retire after just a couple more fights, making a direct matchup between the two unlikely. Tsarukyan went further, saying that once he holds the belt, the UFC itself will be synonymous with his name. Makhachev, 34, currently holds the welterweight title and carries a 28-1-0 record. The Russian southpaw is ranked at the top of the pound-for-pound rankings and averages 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes alongside a 58 percent striking accuracy, making him one of the most complete fighters in the sport today.
UFC president Dana White weighed in on Tsarukyan's title aspirations, saying he appreciates the Armenian contender's recent activity level but noted that cleaning up his behavior off the canvas is all that stands between him and a championship opportunity.
In other news from the same report, light heavyweight contender Magomed Ankalaev pushed back on rumors linking him to a fight with former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker. Ankalaev, 34, holds a 21-2-1 record and sits ranked first in the light heavyweight division and fifth in the pound-for-pound rankings. At six-foot-three with a 75-inch reach, the Russian lands 3.65 significant strikes per minute.
Middleweight veteran Paulo Costa, ranked 13th at 185 pounds, offered a colorful take on his preferred opponents, saying he relishes fighting Russian fighters because of their toughness, drawing a comparison to Brazilian competitors. The 35-year-old carries a 16-4-0 record and is one of the division's most prolific strikers, landing 6.26 significant strikes per minute at 58 percent accuracy.
Why it matters
- Tsarukyan's comments signal an aggressive push toward a lightweight title shot in the near term
- Ankalaev's denial keeps the light heavyweight contender picture unsettled heading into the division's next major bout
- Michael Bisping and Daniel Cormier joining The Ultimate Fighter as coaches adds a high-profile storyline to the upcoming season
