Arman Tsarukyan sharply criticized Ilia Topuria's preparation following the Georgian's loss to Justin Gaethje, claiming Topuria no longer trains with quality wrestlers or fighters and has been doing little more than watching Canelo Alvarez footage and hitting mitts. Tsarukyan said that had Islam Makhachev faced this version of Topuria, he would have submitted him in the first round. He predicted he would defeat both Topuria and Gaethje clearly, citing his footwork, distance management, kicking game, and wrestling as advantages over both men.
Arman Tsarukyan went on the offensive this week, tearing into Ilia Topuria's training habits following the Georgian's defeat to Justin Gaethje and declaring he would beat both men without much difficulty.
Tsarukyan's sharpest words were reserved for Topuria, who he claimed has abandoned serious preparation, no longer working with quality wrestlers or elite training partners. Instead, Tsarukyan alleged, Topuria has spent his time studying Canelo Alvarez footage and working the mitts. He went further, arguing that had Islam Makhachev faced this version of Topuria, the lightweight champion would have submitted him inside the first round. Tsarukyan cited his own footwork, distance management, kicking game, and wrestling as decisive edges over both Topuria and Gaethje, predicting clear victories against each.
Topuria, 29, carries a 17-1 record and is currently ranked second in the lightweight division and first in the pound-for-pound rankings. The Spaniard lands 4.81 significant strikes per minute at 48 percent accuracy, and his loss to Gaethje marked only the second setback of his professional career.
Gaethje, now the lightweight champion at 37 years old, owns a 28-5 record and is among the most prolific strikers in the division, landing 6.48 significant strikes per minute at 58 percent accuracy. The American fights out of Genesis Training Center and represents a substantial finishing threat in any exchange.
Makhachev, whom Tsarukyan referenced as the measuring stick for Topuria's current level, holds a 28-1 record and reigns as welterweight champion. The Russian averages 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes and 1.1 submission attempts per 15 minutes, making him one of the most complete grapplers in the sport.
Why it matters
- Topuria's loss to Gaethje reshuffles the lightweight landscape, and Tsarukyan is aggressively positioning himself within it
- A Tsarukyan fight with either man would carry significant title implications at 155 pounds
- The stylistic contrast between Tsarukyan's wrestling-and-movement approach and Gaethje's volume striking sets up a compelling potential matchup
