Arman Tsarukyan claimed he would have defeated Khabib Nurmagomedov by decision, citing his versatile skill set as the key advantage. Daniel Cormier proposed an unusual career continuation for Islam Makhachev, suggesting a fight with Conor McGregor. Dana White expressed relief at stepping back from fighter negotiations, stating the company has outgrown that phase and he grew tired of dealing with often frivolous fighter issues. Tsarukyan reportedly was ready to bet $1 million on Khamzat Chimaev's victory, but the streamer who proposed the bet quickly reduced the wager to $50,000.
Arman Tsarukyan stirred conversation in the MMA world this week with a bold hypothetical claim, while Daniel Cormier floated an eyebrow-raising suggestion for Islam Makhachev's future, and Dana White weighed in on his evolving role within the UFC's business structure.
Tsarukyan, the Armenian lightweight contender, stated publicly that he believes he would have defeated Khabib Nurmagomedov by decision, pointing to his versatile skill set as the decisive factor. Khabib, who retired with a perfect 29-0-0 record at 37 years old, was renowned for an elite grappling game that produced 5.32 takedowns per 15 minutes across his career. The unbeaten Russian, who stood five-foot-ten with a 70-inch reach, remains one of the most dominant fighters in UFC history.
Makhachev, currently the reigning welterweight champion and the number-one pound-for-pound fighter on the AgentMMA rankings, holds a 28-1-0 record at 34 years old. The Eagles MMA product posts a striking accuracy of 58 percent and averages 1.1 submission attempts per 15 minutes. Cormier suggested Makhachev's next move could be a crossover bout with Conor McGregor, an unusual proposition given Makhachev's dominant title reign.
Separately, Tsarukyan reportedly offered to bet one million dollars on Khamzat Chimaev winning his next fight, only for the streamer who proposed the wager to quickly walk the stake back to fifty thousand dollars. Chimaev, ranked first in the middleweight division and tenth pound-for-pound, carries a 15-1-0 record and a 60 percent striking accuracy. The Borz, fighting out of Allstars Training Center, also averages 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes, making him one of the more complete threats in the division at 32 years old.
White, meanwhile, said he has grown relieved to step away from fighter contract negotiations, describing the process as one he tired of and noting that the UFC has grown beyond needing him involved at that level.
Why it matters
- Tsarukyan's Khabib claim keeps him in the lightweight conversation ahead of any future title opportunities
- Cormier's McGregor suggestion adds noise around Makhachev's next move as welterweight champion
- The bet episode highlights Tsarukyan's public confidence in Chimaev, the top-ranked middleweight contender
