Dana White commented that he likes Arman Tsarukyan's current level of activity and advised him to stop behaving like a "maniac" to secure a title shot. White indicated that Tsarukyan only needs to avoid problematic behavior to earn his championship opportunity. Tsarukyan himself stated that a fight with Islam Makhachev is unlikely as Makhachev will retire after a couple more fights. The Armenian fighter claimed he will take over the sport within a year and become the face of the UFC once he captures the title. The post also mentions Robert Whittaker denying rumors about fighting Magomed Ankalaev, and notes that Michael Bisping and Daniel Cormier will be the new coaching pair on the next season of The Ultimate Fighter.
UFC president Dana White has publicly praised lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan's recent activity level while suggesting a title shot is within reach, provided the Armenian fighter keeps his behavior in check.
White's comments centered on Tsarukyan's work rate, which he said he appreciates, while offering a blunt advisory: stop acting like a "maniac" and the championship opportunity will follow. The message was straightforward — Tsarukyan's performances are earning attention at the top of the division, and his conduct off the mat is the primary obstacle between him and a title fight.
Tsarukyan added fuel to the conversation by addressing the prospect of a matchup with lightweight champion Islam Makhachev directly, suggesting it may never happen. The contender claimed Makhachev, who holds a 28-1 record and currently sits atop both the lightweight and pound-for-pound rankings at 34 years old, will retire after just a couple more fights. Tsarukyan went further, declaring he expects to capture the title within a year and position himself as the face of the UFC.
Why it matters
- A title shot at 155 pounds carries pound-for-pound implications, as Makhachev is the reigning P4P number-one fighter
- Tsarukyan's claimed timeline puts pressure on the lightweight division's near-term booking
- Makhachev's rumored retirement window, if accurate, could reshape the entire top of the division
Elsewhere in the roundup, middleweight contender Robert Whittaker, ranked sixth at 185 pounds with a 27-9 record, denied circulating reports that he is set to fight light heavyweight number-one contender Magomed Ankalaev. Ankalaev, who carries a 21-2-1 mark and ranks fifth pound-for-pound, would represent a significant cross-divisional matchup, but Whittaker appears to have shut that speculation down.
Additionally, veteran broadcasters Michael Bisping and Daniel Cormier were confirmed as the coaching pair for the next season of The Ultimate Fighter.
