Arman Tsarukyan stated he believes he would have beaten Khabib Nurmagomedov by decision, citing his well-rounded skillset as the main advantage. UFC commentator Daniel Cormier proposed an unconventional next fight for Islam Makhachev, suggesting a bout against Conor McGregor. Additionally, Tsarukyan reportedly was willing to bet one million dollars on Khamzat Chimaev's victory, but the streamer who proposed the wager quickly reduced the amount to fifty thousand dollars. The post also mentions that Dana White is happy to have stepped away from fighter negotiations, saying the company has outgrown that stage and he grew tired of dealing with often frivolous fighter issues.
Arman Tsarukyan made waves on social media by claiming he would have defeated the undefeated Khabib Nurmagomedov by decision, pointing to his well-rounded skillset as the deciding factor. The comments surfaced alongside a proposal from UFC commentator Daniel Cormier, who floated the idea of lightweight champion Islam Makhachev facing Conor McGregor in an unconventional matchup.
Khabib Nurmagomedov retired with a perfect 29-0-0 record and remains one of the most decorated fighters in the sport's history. The 37-year-old Russian averaged 5.32 takedowns per 15 minutes throughout his career, a relentless grappling output that defined his dominance. Tsarukyan's argument centers on the belief that his versatility would have created problems Khabib had never faced.
Makhachev, currently the welterweight champion and the top-ranked pound-for-pound fighter on the roster, carries a 28-1-0 record. The 34-year-old southpaw from Russia lands strikes at 58 percent accuracy and averages 1.1 submission attempts per 15 minutes, making him a threat across all phases. Cormier's suggestion of a McGregor fight would represent a significant stylistic departure from the Dagestani wrestler's typical opposition.
Elsewhere in the conversation, Tsarukyan reportedly offered to bet one million dollars on Khamzat Chimaev winning his next fight, though the streamer who proposed the wager quickly walked the amount back to fifty thousand dollars. Chimaev, ranked first in the middleweight division and tenth pound-for-pound, holds a 15-1-0 record. The 32-year-old hits 60 percent striking accuracy and averages an imposing 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes.
Dana White also weighed in on fighter negotiations, expressing satisfaction at having stepped away from that process and stating the company has grown beyond the stage where he needed to handle individual fighter dealings directly.
Why it matters
- Tsarukyan's Khabib claim keeps his name in the conversation ahead of any potential lightweight title pursuit
- Cormier's Makhachev-McGregor suggestion would carry massive commercial implications for the division
- Chimaev's status as a betting focal point underlines his profile as the middleweight division's most watched contender
