Arman Tsarukyan stated that he believes a fight with Islam Makhachev is unlikely to happen because Makhachev will retire after a couple more fights. Tsarukyan declared 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 to get a title shot, he just needs to stop acting like a "maniac." The post also included news that Michael Bisping and Daniel Cormier will be coaches on the next season of The Ultimate Fighter, and that Khamzat Chimaev made someone tap in 40 seconds. Additionally, Robert Whittaker reportedly denied rumors about fighting Magomed Ankalaev.
Arman Tsarukyan has made clear he believes a fight with lightweight champion Islam Makhachev is not coming, predicting the dominant Russian will retire within a couple more fights and opening the door for Tsarukyan to seize the division and become the face of the UFC.
Tsarukyan declared that within a year he expects to capture the lightweight title and take over the sport entirely. UFC president Dana White weighed in as well, saying he appreciates Tsarukyan's current activity level but noting that to earn a title shot, the Armenian contender simply needs to stop behaving like a "maniac."
Makhachev, 34, sits atop the pound-for-pound rankings while currently competing at welterweight according to the verified data, carrying a 28-1 record. The Dagestani southpaw averages 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes and lands strikes at a 58 percent accuracy rate, numbers that have made him one of the most complete fighters on the roster.
Elsewhere in recent MMA news, Khamzat Chimaev added another dominant performance to his resume, forcing a tap in just 40 seconds. The number-one-ranked middleweight, ranked tenth pound-for-pound at 32 years old, carries a 15-1 record and a striking accuracy of 60 percent with an imposing 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes.
On the light heavyweight front, Robert Whittaker reportedly denied rumors linking him to a fight with Magomed Ankalaev. The Russian-born Ankalaev holds the number-one divisional ranking at light heavyweight, posting a 21-2-1 record at 34 years of age, and averages 3.65 significant strikes per minute with a 52 percent accuracy rate.
Why it matters
- Tsarukyan's public prediction about Makhachev's retirement adds pressure to a lightweight title picture with no confirmed next challenger
- Chimaev's 40-second finish reinforces his status as the top-ranked middleweight threat
- Ankalaev denying the Whittaker rumor leaves his next opponent and the light heavyweight division's direction unresolved
