Arman Tsarukyan has stated he is ready to compete for the featherweight title against either Movsar Evloev or Alex Volkanovski. When asked which matchup interests him more, Tsarukyan expressed a preference for fighting Volkanovski, citing the Australian's numerous title defenses and higher media profile. The lightweight contender appears open to moving down in weight for a championship opportunity. Tsarukyan framed the question to his followers, asking whether they would prefer to see him face Volkanovski or Evloev. This represents a potential new direction for Tsarukyan's career as he seeks championship gold.
Arman Tsarukyan has publicly called for a featherweight title shot, naming both interim champion Movsar Evloev and former long-reigning champion Alex Volkanovski as potential opponents and signaling his willingness to drop a weight class to pursue championship gold.
Tsarukyan, known as "Ahalkalakets," enters this conversation as the number-one ranked lightweight contender. The 29-year-old Russian, who trains out of American Top Team, carries a 23-3 record and has established himself as one of the most well-rounded threats in the 155-pound division. He lands 3.85 significant strikes per minute at a 50 percent accuracy rate and adds consistent wrestling pressure with 3.26 takedowns per 15 minutes. When asked which matchup he would prefer, Tsarukyan made clear he favors facing Volkanovski, pointing to the Australian's lengthy title reign and higher public profile as reasons for the preference. He put the question directly to his followers, asking them to weigh in on which fight they want to see.
Standing in the featherweight picture is Evloev, who holds the number-one ranking at 145 pounds and remains the last unbeaten fighter in the division. The 32-year-old Russian, also a member of American Top Team, owns a spotless 20-0 record. His grappling output is particularly striking, averaging 4.78 takedowns per 15 minutes, and he generates 3.91 significant strikes per minute with 47 percent accuracy. The shared team affiliation between Tsarukyan and Evloev adds an unusual layer to any potential matchup.
Why it matters
- Tsarukyan moving to featherweight would pit the top lightweight contender against the top featherweight contender, creating a rare cross-divisional title scenario
- A win at 145 pounds could make Tsarukyan a two-division champion, a significant career milestone
- The shared American Top Team connection between Tsarukyan and Evloev raises promotional and ethical questions about whether that fight could realistically be made
