Arman Tsarukyan offered his perspective on comparing the best versions of Islam Makhachev and Khabib Nurmagomedov. The UFC lightweight contender shared his viewpoint on this frequently debated topic in MMA. The post did not include the specific details of Tsarukyan's opinion or which fighter he favors in the comparison. The channel presented poll options for fans to react, including agreeing with Tsarukyan, favoring Khabib, or suggesting the comparison is meaningless. Both Makhachev and Nurmagomedov are former UFC lightweight champions from Dagestan.
Arman Tsarukyan has weighed in on one of MMA's most enduring debates, sharing his perspective on how Islam Makhachev compares to the retired Khabib Nurmagomedov at their respective peaks.
Tsarukyan, 29, is the current number-one ranked lightweight contender and holds a professional record of 23-3-0. Competing out of American Top Team, the Russian fighter carries a 72-inch reach — notable for someone standing five-foot-seven — and lands 3.85 significant strikes per minute at 50 percent accuracy, while also averaging 3.26 takedowns per 15 minutes.
The two fighters at the center of the debate share a remarkably similar physical profile. Khabib Nurmagomedov, now 37 and retired with a perfect 29-0-0 record, stood five-foot-ten with a 70-inch reach and was renowned for his elite grappling, averaging 5.32 takedowns per 15 minutes during his UFC career. Makhachev, 34, is the current champion who has moved up to welterweight and carries a 28-1-0 record. He averages 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes and posts a striking accuracy of 58 percent — among the highest in the division — while also threatening with 1.1 submission attempts per 15 minutes.
Both men hail from Dagestan, Russia, and the regional and stylistic ties between them have fueled constant fan speculation about how they would match up in their primes.
Why it matters
- Tsarukyan is the top-ranked lightweight, giving his opinion on division-related topics added weight
- The Makhachev-vs-Khabib debate touches directly on the lightweight division's legacy and current standards
- The contrasting statistical profiles — Khabib's higher takedown volume versus Makhachev's superior striking accuracy — illustrate why the comparison remains genuinely contested
