Arman Tsarukyan has outlined his ambitious future plans in combat sports. The lightweight contender stated he wants to win three belts in the UFC, though he did not specify which weight classes. Beyond MMA, Tsarukyan expressed interest in transitioning to boxing to fight the Paul brothers. In a bold statement, he also mentioned wanting to "pull Floyd Mayweather out of the grave" and fight him, though Mayweather is of course still alive and this appears to be colorful rhetoric. These comments showcase Tsarukyan's confidence following his recent performances and suggest he's looking beyond just the lightweight division.
Arman Tsarukyan has laid out a sweeping vision for his combat sports future, declaring ambitions that stretch well beyond the UFC lightweight title.
The 29-year-old Russian, who fights out of American Top Team, currently sits ranked number one in the lightweight division and carries a professional MMA record of 23 wins and 3 losses. Standing 170 centimeters tall with a 183-centimeter reach, Tsarukyan has built his reputation as a high-output, technically sharp fighter, landing 3.85 significant strikes per minute at 50 percent accuracy while also posing a consistent grappling threat with 3.26 takedowns per 15 minutes. Those numbers place him among the most well-rounded competitors in the division.
In a recent interview, Tsarukyan stated he wants to capture three UFC belts, without specifying which weight classes he intends to pursue beyond lightweight. He also expressed a desire to cross over into boxing, singling out the Paul brothers as potential opponents. He further added colorful rhetoric about wanting to drag Floyd Mayweather into a fight, a comment that reads as a statement of supreme confidence rather than a literal challenge.
Why it matters
- Tsarukyan is already the top-ranked lightweight contender, making a title shot the logical and immediate next step before any multi-division campaign begins
- A move up or down in weight would carry significant divisional implications in whichever class he targets
- His well-rounded style, combining volume striking with consistent takedown output, would present problems across multiple weight classes
- Any boxing crossover would follow a well-worn path in the sport, though his MMA record and divisional standing give those ambitions more credibility than most
