Cormier insists Tsarukyan must be next to challenge Gaethje

Former two-division UFC champion Daniel Cormier is throwing his considerable weight behind a specific lightweight title fight, publicly insisting that Arman Tsarukyan must be next in line to challenge Justin Gaethje for the 155-pound belt.

Cormier, 47, made his position clear, stating the matchup "has to be" made and directing the call squarely at the UFC's matchmakers. As one of the most recognizable voices in combat sports, his advocacy adds meaningful momentum to what many in the lightweight division have already been arguing.

Gaethje, 37, currently holds the lightweight championship and carries one of the most explosive offensive profiles in the division's history. The American fighter out of Genesis Training Center posts an eye-catching 6.48 significant strikes landed per minute at 58 percent accuracy, numbers that reflect the relentless pressure style that earned him the nickname "The Highlight." His professional record stands at 28-5-0.

Tsarukyan enters the conversation as the division's number-one ranked contender, making Cormier's argument difficult to dispute on paper. The 29-year-old Russian, representing American Top Team, carries a 23-3-0 record and brings a genuinely contrasting skill set to any potential matchup. He averages 3.26 takedowns per 15 minutes, a figure that dwarfs Gaethje's own grappling output of 0.33 takedowns in the same span, and his 72-inch reach matches his frame well despite standing five-foot-seven.

Why it matters

• Tsarukyan is ranked number one at lightweight, giving him a strong organizational claim to the next title shot
• Gaethje's aggressive striking style against Tsarukyan's elite wrestling sets up a compelling contrast in approaches
• A prominent public push from Cormier raises the profile of the matchup and increases pressure on the UFC to formalize negotiations