Arman Tsarukyan plans to fight again in September or later this year. He explained that wearing a cowboy hat at his recent bout in Texas was a friend's suggestion to match the location. Regarding a potential Ilia Topuria vs. Islam Makhachev fight at 170 pounds, Tsarukyan said Topuria would move up if the UFC allows it and that a loss to Islam would be less damaging than losing to him at lightweight.
Arman Tsarukyan has revealed plans to compete again in September or at some point before the end of 2026, while also weighing in on the widely discussed prospect of a superfight between Ilia Topuria and Islam Makhachev.
Tsarukyan, 29, currently sits at number one in the lightweight rankings and carries a record of 23-3-0. The Russia-born American Top Team product stands five-foot-seven with a notably long 72-inch reach and has built a reputation as one of the division's most complete fighters, averaging 3.26 takedowns per 15 minutes alongside a striking output of 3.85 significant strikes landed per minute. In a lighter moment from the interview, he addressed the cowboy hat he wore at his recent Texas appearance, explaining it was a friend's idea to fit the setting.
On the subject of Topuria versus Makhachev, Tsarukyan offered a candid take. He suggested Topuria would move up to 170 pounds if the UFC sanctions the matchup, and made the pointed observation that a loss to Makhachev at welterweight would carry less reputational damage for Topuria than suffering a defeat to Tsarukyan at lightweight.
Topuria, also 29 and ranked second at lightweight with a 17-1-0 record, is the number one pound-for-pound fighter on the roster. The Spain-based striker averages an aggressive 4.81 significant strikes per minute and has shown ground versatility with 1.96 takedowns and 1.1 submission attempts per 15 minutes.
Makhachev, 34, is the reigning welterweight champion at 28-1-0 and ranks atop the pound-for-pound list's second position. The Russian southpaw is known for his elite grappling, averaging 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes and posting a striking accuracy of 58 percent.
Why it matters
- Tsarukyan's planned September return keeps the lightweight title picture active with its top contender back in action
- His comments frame a Topuria move to welterweight as a calculated risk that would protect Topuria's lightweight legacy
- A Makhachev-Topuria superfight at 170 would leave the lightweight division's contender queue in flux
