Arman Tsarukyan believes he would have defeated Khabib Nurmagomedov by decision, citing his well-rounded skill set as his main advantage. Jiri Prochazka is highly rated by UFC brass, having competed in eight UFC fights with four being title fights. Prochazka expressed confidence that Alex Pereira could defeat Ciryl Gane. Dana White stated he is glad to have stepped back from fighter negotiations, saying the company has outgrown that phase and he grew tired of dealing with problems from often frivolous fighters. Daniel Cormier proposed an unusual career continuation for Islam Makhachev by suggesting a fight with Conor McGregor. Tsarukyan was ready to bet one million dollars on Khamzat Chimaev's victory, but the streamer who proposed the bet immediately pulled back and changed the wager amount to fifty thousand dollars.
Arman Tsarukyan made headlines this week with a bold claim: that he would have beaten retired legend Khabib Nurmagomedov by decision, pointing to his all-around skill set as the decisive factor. The comments came as part of a wider stretch of notable media moments involving several prominent figures in the sport.
Khabib Nurmagomedov retired with a perfect 29-0-0 record and was one of the most dominant grapplers the sport has seen, averaging 5.32 takedowns per 15 minutes across his career. The Russian standout also posted a striking accuracy of 48 percent and landed 4.1 significant strikes per minute, making him a complete and relentless pressure fighter even on the feet.
Jiri Prochazka also drew attention after UFC leadership spoke highly of the Czech light heavyweight contender. The 33-year-old sits at number two in the light heavyweight rankings and carries a 32-6-1 record. Standing six-foot-three with an 80-inch reach, Prochazka is one of the more physically imposing fighters in the division and lands an impressive 5.69 significant strikes per minute at 55 percent accuracy. UFC brass noted he has competed in eight UFC bouts, four of which were title fights. Prochazka himself weighed in on the division, expressing confidence that Alex Pereira could defeat Ciryl Gane.
Islam Makhachev, the reigning welterweight champion with a 28-1-0 record and the top pound-for-pound ranking, found himself at the center of an unexpected suggestion. Daniel Cormier proposed that Makhachev consider a fight with Conor McGregor as a potential next step in his career. The 34-year-old Russian averages 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes and posts a striking accuracy of 58 percent.
Why it matters
- Tsarukyan's claim keeps debate around Khabib's legacy alive within the lightweight division
- Prochazka's standing with UFC management signals he remains central to light heavyweight title picture planning
- A potential Makhachev-McGregor pairing would carry massive commercial weight if it ever moved beyond speculation
- Dana White's comments about stepping back from fighter negotiations hint at a structural shift in how the UFC manages its roster
