Dana White commented that he likes Arman Tsarukyan's current activity and stated that to get a title shot, Tsarukyan simply needs to avoid behaving erratically. Tsarukyan himself expressed confidence about his future, suggesting Islam Makhachev will retire after a couple more fights and that he will capture the division within a year. The Armenian fighter predicted he will become the face of UFC once he secures the title. Additional notes in the post mentioned ongoing back-and-forth between Islam and Ilia, Paulo Costa saying he loves fighting Russians because they're tough like Brazilians, and Robert Whittaker denying rumors about fighting Magomed Ankalaev.
Dana White has spoken positively about lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan's recent activity level, stating that the Armenian fighter is on the right track toward a title shot — so long as he keeps his behavior in check and avoids erratic conduct.
Tsarukyan, for his part, sounded fully confident about where he is headed. The fighter predicted that reigning lightweight champion Islam Makhachev will retire within a couple of fights, leaving the division open for him to claim the belt within a year. Tsarukyan went further, suggesting that once he captures the title, he will become the face of the UFC.
Makhachev currently holds the welterweight title and carries a 28-1-0 record. The 34-year-old Russian fights out of Eagles MMA, operates from a southpaw stance, and lands strikes at a 58 percent accuracy rate while averaging 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes — numbers that underline why the belt remains firmly in his hands.
Separately, middleweight Paulo Costa weighed in on fighting Russian opponents, saying he enjoys those matchups because Russian fighters carry a toughness similar to Brazilians. Costa holds a 16-4-0 record and fights at 35 years old out of Brazil, bringing an aggressive output of 6.26 significant strikes landed per minute that makes him a handful for anyone in the 185-pound division.
Light heavyweight contender Robert Whittaker also addressed the media cycle, denying reports that a fight against Magomed Ankalaev is in the works. Ankalaev sits as the number-one ranked light heavyweight and fifth on the pound-for-pound list, carrying a 21-2-1 record. The 34-year-old Russian stands six-foot-three with a 75-inch reach and averages 3.65 significant strikes per minute.
Why it matters
- Tsarukyan's public confidence and White's approval signal he remains the most credible next challenger in the lightweight division
- Makhachev's dominance at 28-1-0 makes any succession claim a long-term projection rather than an immediate reality
- Ankalaev's denial of the Whittaker rumors leaves his next opponent and divisional path unsettled at light heavyweight
