Arman Tsarukyan has called out Ilia Topuria in an unusual manner, stating that Topuria is "not a man" based on personal grooming choices. Specifically, Tsarukyan claimed that Topuria shaves his buttocks while he does not, using this as the basis for his jab. The comment appears to be part of ongoing verbal sparring between the two fighters. The post was shared with laughing emojis, suggesting the remark was made in a lighthearted or mocking tone. No context about a potential matchup between the two was provided.
Arman Tsarukyan took a decidedly unconventional approach to trash talk this week, publicly mocking fellow lightweight contender Ilia Topuria over personal grooming habits in a post that circulated on social media on April 23.
Tsarukyan claimed that Topuria shaves his buttocks while he himself does not, and on that basis declared that Topuria is "not a man." The remark was accompanied by laughing emojis, framing it as a mocking jab rather than a serious provocation. It appears to be the latest exchange in an ongoing verbal back-and-forth between the two lightweights.
Tsarukyan, known as "Ahalkalakets," carries a 23-3-0 record and holds the number-one ranking in the lightweight division. The 29-year-old Russian trains out of American Top Team and brings a physically imposing reach of 72 inches to his five-foot-seven frame. He averages 3.26 takedowns per 15 minutes and lands significant strikes at a rate of 3.85 per minute with 50 percent accuracy, making him one of the most well-rounded fighters in the division.
Topuria, nicknamed "El Matador," is ranked second in the lightweight division and sits atop the pound-for-pound rankings at number one. The 29-year-old fighting out of Spain holds a 17-1-0 record and is known for his offensive output, landing 4.81 significant strikes per minute with a 48 percent accuracy rate. He also averages 1.96 takedowns per 15 minutes and attempts submissions at a rate of 1.1 per 15 minutes.
Why it matters
- Both fighters sit at the very top of a stacked lightweight division, with Tsarukyan ranked first and Topuria ranked second
- The ongoing verbal sparring keeps public attention on a potential matchup between two of the division's premier talents
- No fight between the two has been announced or confirmed at this time
