Arman Tsarukyan does not believe Justin Gaethje will withdraw from his upcoming bout against Ilia Topuria. Tsarukyan suggests that Gaethje knows these are among his final fights and is motivated by the significant payday he will receive regardless of the outcome. He implies that Gaethje will take the big money and retire even if he loses. Tsarukyan is confident that Gaethje will not miss his opportunity.
Arman Tsarukyan has spoken out on the prospect of Justin Gaethje withdrawing from his scheduled lightweight title fight against Ilia Topuria, saying he does not believe it will happen. The number-one ranked lightweight contender suggested that Gaethje is fully aware of where he stands in his career and will not pass up the substantial financial reward the bout represents, win or lose.
Tsarukyan, 29, carries a 23-3 record and sits atop the lightweight divisional rankings out of American Top Team. The Russian fighter is a relentless pressure wrestler, averaging 3.26 takedowns per 15 minutes with a 50 percent striking accuracy and 3.85 significant strikes landed per minute. His position as the division's top contender means he is watching the Topuria-Gaethje matchup with obvious interest.
Justin Gaethje, the reigning lightweight champion at 37 years old, brings a 28-5 record and one of the most aggressive striking profiles in the division. The Arizona native lands 6.48 significant strikes per minute at a 58 percent accuracy rate, numbers that place him among the sport's elite volume strikers. Tsarukyan indicated that Gaethje understands the fight may be among his last at the top level and will take the opportunity for a major payday regardless of the result.
Ilia Topuria, the pound-for-pound number-one fighter according to the rankings, enters the lightweight division at 17-1 with a well-rounded skill set. The Spain-based Georgian is 29 years old, standing five-foot-seven with a 69-inch reach, and has averaged 4.81 significant strikes per minute alongside 1.96 takedown attempts per 15 minutes.
Why it matters
- Tsarukyan holds the top contender spot and stands next in line if Topuria wins the belt
- A Gaethje withdrawal would reshuffle the lightweight title picture entirely
- The Topuria-Gaethje stylistic clash pits the pound-for-pound leader against the division's most prolific striker
