Arman Tsarukyan stated that he believes he would have defeated Khabib Nurmagomedov by decision, citing his well-rounded skill set as his main advantage. In other news from the post, Jiri Prochazka is highly rated by UFC brass, having fought four title fights in just eight UFC appearances. Prochazka also expressed belief that Alex Pereira could defeat Ciryl Gane. Dana White commented that he is glad to have stepped back from direct fighter negotiations, saying the company has outgrown that stage and he grew tired of dealing with often frivolous fighter issues. Daniel Cormier suggested an unusual career path for Islam Makhachev, proposing a fight with Conor McGregor, while Tsarukyan was reportedly ready to bet one million dollars on Khamzat Chimaev's victory but the wager was reduced to $50,000.
Arman Tsarukyan made a bold claim in a recent media appearance, stating he believes he would have beaten retired legend Khabib Nurmagomedov by decision, pointing to his all-around game as the decisive edge.
Tsarukyan's confidence carries some weight given his standing in the lightweight division, though the matchup will forever remain hypothetical. Khabib Nurmagomedov finished his career undefeated at 29-0, and his wrestling remains the stuff of legend — the Russian averaged an extraordinary 5.32 takedowns per 15 minutes across his UFC run, with 0.8 submission attempts per 15 minutes to complement that ground dominance.
The same post touched on Jiri Prochazka, with UFC brass reportedly holding the Czech light heavyweight in high regard. That respect is understandable: the 33-year-old from Brno carries a 32-6-1 record and has already competed in four title fights across just eight UFC appearances. Standing six-foot-three with an 80-inch reach, Prochazka is one of the division's most dangerous strikers, landing 5.69 significant strikes per minute at 55 percent accuracy. He currently sits ranked second in the light heavyweight division and also weighed in on the Alex Pereira versus Ciryl Gane matchup, expressing belief that Pereira would come out on top.
Elsewhere, Daniel Cormier floated an unconventional idea for UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev, suggesting a bout with Conor McGregor. Makhachev holds a 28-1 record, owns the pound-for-pound top spot, and is a champion in the welterweight division per the database listing. He averages 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes and lands submissions at a rate of 1.1 attempts per 15 minutes, making him a multi-dimensional threat.
Why it matters
- Tsarukyan's Khabib comments keep the retired legend's legacy in the conversation and reflect on the current lightweight landscape.
- Prochazka's four title fights in eight UFC outings underline how quickly the 33-year-old has become central to the light heavyweight division.
- Cormier's Makhachev-McGregor suggestion would be a massive crossover event, though it remains purely speculative at this stage.
