UFC President Dana White has commented positively on Arman Tsarukyan's recent activity level. White stated that to secure a title shot, Tsarukyan simply needs to avoid acting "like a maniac." The comments suggest Tsarukyan is very close to earning a championship opportunity. Meanwhile, Tsarukyan himself expressed doubt that a fight with Islam Makhachev will happen, predicting Islam will retire after a couple more fights. Tsarukyan claimed he will capture the sport within a year and become the face of the UFC once he gets the title. The post also mentions Robert Whittaker denying rumors about fighting Magomed Ankalaev, and notes that Paulo Costa said he loves fighting Russians because they're tough like Brazilians.
UFC President Dana White offered an encouraging assessment of lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan's recent activity level, suggesting the Armenian-Russian fighter is on the cusp of earning a title shot — provided he keeps his focus and avoids acting, in White's words, "like a maniac."
The comments place Tsarukyan firmly in the championship conversation at lightweight, where Islam Makhachev holds the belt and currently sits as the pound-for-pound number-one fighter in the world. Makhachev, 34, fights out of Russia under the Eagles MMA banner and carries a 28-1-0 record. The southpaw champion lands 2.63 significant strikes per minute at 58 percent accuracy while also threatening consistently on the mat, averaging 3.2 takedowns and 1.1 submission attempts per 15 minutes. Despite that formidable profile, Tsarukyan expressed skepticism that a fight with Makhachev will actually materialize, suggesting the champion will retire after a handful more bouts. Tsarukyan went further, claiming he will capture the title within a year and establish himself as the face of the UFC.
Elsewhere in the same news cycle, middleweight Paulo Costa — ranked 13th in his division with a 16-4-0 record — offered some candid commentary of his own, stating he enjoys fighting Russian opponents because of their toughness, drawing a parallel to Brazilian fighters. The 35-year-old Brazilian, who lands a striking-heavy 6.26 significant strikes per minute, is known for his forward pressure and aggressive style.
Also mentioned was light heavyweight number-one contender Magomed Ankalaev, after Robert Whittaker publicly denied reports linking him to a potential matchup with the Dagestan native. Ankalaev, 34, holds a 21-2-1 record and ranks fifth pound-for-pound. The six-foot-three Russian lands 3.65 significant strikes per minute and owns a 75-inch reach, making him a dangerous threat at the top of the 205-pound division.
Why it matters
- A Tsarukyan title shot would set up one of the most anticipated rematches in lightweight history, given their prior meeting.
- Makhachev's lightweight dominance and pound-for-pound status mean any challenger faces an exceptionally steep climb.
- Ankalaev's potential opponent at light heavyweight remains unsettled following Whittaker's denial, leaving the division's title picture unclear.
