Arman Tsarukyan stated he believes he would have defeated Khabib Nurmagomedov by decision, citing his diverse skill set as the main advantage. Jiri Prochazka is highly rated by UFC management, having competed in eight UFC fights with four being title fights. Prochazka also expressed confidence that Alex Pereira could defeat Ciryl Gane. Daniel Cormier proposed an unusual career direction for Islam Makhachev, suggesting he should fight Conor McGregor. The post also mentioned that Tsarukyan was ready to bet one million dollars on Khamzat Chimaev's victory, though the streamer who proposed the bet quickly reduced the wager to fifty thousand dollars.
Arman Tsarukyan made headlines this week with a bold claim: the Armenian lightweight contender believes he would have defeated Khabib Nurmagomedov by decision, pointing to what he described as a more diverse skill set as his primary edge over the undefeated legend.
Nurmagomedov, who retired with a perfect 29-0-0 record, remains one of the most dominant grapplers in MMA history. The Russian finished his career with an extraordinary 5.32 takedowns per 15 minutes and remains the benchmark against which lightweight contenders measure themselves, even years after his retirement at age 37.
UFC lightweight and welterweight champion Islam Makhachev, who carries a 28-1-0 record and holds the number one pound-for-pound ranking, was drawn into a separate conversation when Daniel Cormier floated the idea of Makhachev pursuing a fight against Conor McGregor. The southpaw champion trains out of Eagles MMA and has built his title reign on suffocating grappling, averaging 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes alongside a 58 percent striking accuracy.
Tsarukyan also reportedly declared he was ready to wager one million dollars on Khamzat Chimaev winning an unspecified matchup, though the streamer who initially proposed the bet quickly walked back the figure to fifty thousand dollars.
Separately, Jiri Prochazka drew praise from UFC management this week. The second-ranked light heavyweight, who stands six-foot-three with an 80-inch reach and has fought in four of his eight UFC bouts as title fights, also weighed in on the light heavyweight picture, expressing confidence that Alex Pereira could defeat Ciryl Gane.
Why it matters
- Tsarukyan's Nurmagomedov comments add to ongoing debate about the legacy matchup era and his own lightweight ambitions
- Cormier's McGregor suggestion for Makhachev, if pursued, would represent a massive commercial crossover for the pound-for-pound king
- Prochazka's standing with UFC management signals he remains a central figure in the light heavyweight division despite holding the number two ranking
