Arman Tsarukyan expressed confidence that Justin Gaethje will not pull out of his scheduled fight against Ilia Topuria. Tsarukyan believes Gaethje knows these are his final fights in the UFC and is motivated primarily by financial gain. According to Tsarukyan, even if Gaethje loses, he will still collect a substantial payday. Tsarukyan suggests that Gaethje won't pass up this opportunity for a big money fight.
Lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan has dismissed any notion that Justin Gaethje will back out of his upcoming fight against Ilia Topuria, publicly voicing confidence that the champion has too much to gain to walk away from the bout.
Tsarukyan, ranked first in the lightweight division at 29 years old, carries a 23-3 record and fights out of American Top Team. Standing five-foot-seven with a 72-inch reach, the Russian standout has built his reputation on relentless pressure and elite wrestling, averaging 3.26 takedowns per 15 minutes while landing 3.85 significant strikes per minute at 50 percent accuracy.
Gaethje, the reigning lightweight champion, brings a 28-5 record into the matchup at 37 years old. Fighting out of Genesis Training Center, "The Highlight" is one of the division's most prolific strikers, landing 6.48 significant strikes per minute at an impressive 58 percent accuracy. Tsarukyan's assessment is blunt: Gaethje understands these are among his final fights at the highest level, and the financial reward on offer is too significant to pass up. In Tsarukyan's view, even a loss would still mean a substantial payday for the Arizona native.
Topuria, ranked second in the division and first pound-for-pound at just 29 years old, holds a 17-1 record and represents Spain's Climent Club. Standing five-foot-seven with a 69-inch reach, "El Matador" averages 4.81 significant strikes per minute and mixes in 1.96 takedowns per 15 minutes, making him a well-rounded threat across all phases.
Why it matters
- Tsarukyan sits directly behind both men in the lightweight rankings, making the outcome critical to his own title timeline.
- A Gaethje withdrawal would significantly disrupt the lightweight division's top-three picture.
- The stylistic clash between Topuria's all-around game and Gaethje's high-volume striking sets up one of the division's most anticipated matchups in recent memory.
