Arman Tsarukyan made a controversial statement about Ilia Topuria, calling him "not a man" based on personal grooming habits. Specifically, Tsarukyan claimed that Topuria shaves his backside while he does not, using this as the basis for his comment. The remark appears to be part of ongoing verbal sparring between the two fighters. The post presents this as a humorous exchange, though the context and seriousness of the statement are unclear from the brief message.
Arman Tsarukyan took a swipe at Ilia Topuria this week, though not over anything that happens inside the octagon. The lightweight contender claimed that Topuria shaves his backside, contrasting it with his own habits, and declared that the distinction made Topuria "not a man." The remark appears to be the latest volley in an ongoing verbal back-and-forth between the two fighters.
Tsarukyan, nicknamed "Ahalkalakets," carries a 23-3 record and holds the number-one contender spot at lightweight. The 29-year-old Russian trains out of American Top Team and brings a five-foot-seven frame with a 72-inch reach to the division. 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 more complete fighters in the weight class.
Topuria, known as "El Matador," is currently ranked second at lightweight and sits at number one on the pound-for-pound list. The Spain-based Georgian is also 29 years old, shares the same five-foot-seven height as Tsarukyan, and holds a 17-1 record. He lands 4.81 significant strikes per minute at 48 percent accuracy and averages 1.96 takedowns per 15 minutes, establishing himself as a dynamic finisher at the top of the division.
Why it matters
- Both fighters sit at the very top of the lightweight rankings, with a matchup between them carrying obvious title implications.
- The ongoing verbal sparring keeps the rivalry in public conversation, even when the subject matter veers well away from fight strategy.
- With two physically similar orthodox fighters carrying elite records, any eventual bout between them would represent a defining matchup for the 155-pound division.
