Arman Tsarukyan stated he believes a fight with Islam Makhachev is unlikely because Islam will retire after a couple more bouts. Tsarukyan declared he will take over the sport within a year and become the face of UFC once he captures the title. He expressed confidence that when people see him, they will think of UFC. Dana White commented that he likes Tsarukyan's current activity level and that Arman only needs to avoid behaving like a 'maniac' to earn a title shot. The post also mentions several other news items including Michael Bisping and Daniel Cormier becoming TUF coaches, and Josh Hockit's unusual behavior targeting other fighters in the lobby.
Arman Tsarukyan made bold proclamations about his UFC future in a recent interview, declaring he intends to become the face of the promotion within a year and expressing doubt that a rematch with lightweight champion Islam Makhachev will ever take place.
Tsarukyan, known by the nickname "Ahalkalakets," carries a 23-3 record and holds the number-one contender spot in the lightweight division. The 29-year-old Russian fights out of American Top Team and brings an aggressive, high-output style to the octagon, averaging 3.85 significant strikes per minute alongside 3.26 takedowns per 15 minutes. He stated that once he captures the title, he expects to become synonymous with the UFC brand itself.
Standing in his way — or perhaps not, by his own account — is Islam Makhachev, who currently holds the welterweight title and sits atop the pound-for-pound rankings with a 28-1 record. The 34-year-old Russian southpaw, who trains with Eagles MMA, lands strikes at a 58 percent accuracy rate and averages 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes, making him one of the most complete fighters in the sport. Tsarukyan suggested Makhachev will retire after only a couple more bouts, casting doubt on whether their anticipated rematch will materialize.
UFC President Dana White weighed in on Tsarukyan's status, saying he appreciates the contender's current activity level and that Arman is close to earning a title shot — provided he avoids behaving like a, in White's words, "maniac."
Why it matters
- Tsarukyan is the top-ranked lightweight contender, making him the most logical next challenger for Makhachev's title
- His prediction of Makhachev's retirement introduces uncertainty into the lightweight division's immediate future
- A style matchup between two high-volume wrestlers with strong striking would be one of the most competitive lightweight title fights in recent memory
- White's public endorsement, however conditional, signals the promotion views Tsarukyan as a legitimate title-shot candidate
