Dana White commented that he likes Arman Tsarukyan's current activity level and believes Tsarukyan only needs to stop behaving like a 'maniac' to secure a title shot. White also called Tsarukyan a 'tough bastard' while praising his recent performances. Meanwhile, Tsarukyan stated he believes a fight with Islam Makhachev is unlikely as Makhachev will likely retire after a couple more bouts. Tsarukyan predicted he will dominate the sport within a year and become the face of the UFC once he captures the title. The post also mentions that Paulo Costa expressed his enjoyment of fighting Russians, calling them tough like Brazilians.
UFC president Dana White has publicly backed Arman Tsarukyan for a lightweight title shot, telling media that the Russian contender is just one behavioral adjustment away from getting his crack at the belt.
Tsarukyan, 29, sits at number one in the lightweight rankings with a 23-3 record, training out of American Top Team. The Russian known as "Ahalkalakets" has built a reputation as one of the division's most well-rounded threats, averaging 3.85 significant strikes per minute alongside an elite wrestling output of 3.26 takedowns per 15 minutes. White praised his recent activity and called him a "tough bastard," while adding that Tsarukyan simply needs to stop acting like a "maniac" to make the title shot happen.
The man holding the belt is Islam Makhachev, a fellow Russian and White's pound-for-pound champion. The 34-year-old carries a 28-1 record and holds the welterweight — currently listed as lightweight champion — title, connecting on 58 percent of his significant strikes and averaging 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes. Tsarukyan, however, cast doubt on whether that fight materializes, stating publicly that he believes Makhachev will likely retire after just a couple more bouts.
Tsarukyan went further, predicting he will dominate the lightweight division within a year and become the face of the UFC once he wins the title.
Also weighing in on the topic of Russian fighters was middleweight Paulo Costa. The Brazilian contender, ranked 13th at 185 pounds with a 16-4 record, expressed that he enjoys fighting Russians, likening their toughness to that of Brazilians. Costa averages a punishing 6.26 significant strikes per minute, the highest output among the fighters mentioned.
Why it matters
- Tsarukyan is the top-ranked lightweight contender and appears to be next in line for a title shot pending White's approval
- Makhachev's potential retirement timeline, if accurate, could significantly reshape the lightweight division's future
- A Tsarukyan title fight would pit the division's most active wrestler against the sport's premier grappler
