Arman Tsarukyan stated he believes he would have defeated Khabib Nurmagomedov by decision, citing his versatility as a key advantage. Daniel Cormier proposed an unusual next step for Islam Makhachev's career: a fight with Conor McGregor. Dana White expressed relief at stepping back from fighter negotiations, saying the company has outgrown that phase and he grew tired of dealing with often frivolous fighter issues. Jiri Prochazka received praise from UFC brass, having fought four title bouts in just eight UFC appearances. Tsarukyan was prepared to wager one million dollars on Hamzat Chimaev's victory, but the streamer who proposed the bet on Sean quickly withdrew, reducing the wager to fifty thousand dollars.
Arman Tsarukyan sparked conversation this week by claiming he would have beaten the undefeated Khabib Nurmagomedov via decision, pointing to his own versatility as the deciding factor. The comments arrived alongside a proposal from Daniel Cormier that UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev should next face Conor McGregor, adding further noise to an already busy news cycle around the 155-pound division.
Khabib Nurmagomedov retired with a perfect 29-0-0 record and remains one of the most dominant fighters in UFC history. The Russian grappler averaged an extraordinary 5.32 takedowns per 15 minutes and finished his career without a single loss, making Tsarukyan's hypothetical claim a bold one regardless of how it is framed.
Islam Makhachev, now listed as the pound-for-pound number one fighter in the world, carries a 28-1-0 record and holds the welterweight title according to the AgentMMA database. The 34-year-old southpaw from Russia lands strikes at 58 percent accuracy and averages 1.1 submission attempts per 15 minutes, underlining the grappling-heavy style that has defined his championship run. Cormier's suggestion that McGregor represents a logical next opponent for Makhachev drew immediate attention given the gulf in recent activity between the two fighters.
Elsewhere, Jiri Prochazka received notable praise from UFC brass. The 33-year-old Czech contender, ranked second in the light heavyweight division, has competed in four title fights across just eight UFC appearances. Standing six-foot-three with an 80-inch reach, Prochazka lands 5.69 significant strikes per minute at 55 percent accuracy, numbers that reflect the explosive style that has made him one of the division's most compelling figures.
Why it matters
- Tsarukyan's comments keep his name central to lightweight division narratives heading into his next bout
- Cormier's Makhachev-McGregor proposal raises questions about the champion's path forward after dominating the 155-pound field
- Prochazka's title-bout frequency highlights his rapid rise and continued relevance at light heavyweight
- Dana White's remarks about stepping back from fighter negotiations signal a structural shift in how the UFC handles talent management
