Manager Ali Abdelaziz has teased that Justin Gaethje's next opponent will be someone he has never previously fought, calling himself very excited about the matchup. Fans analyzing the lightweight top-10 rankings have pointed to Arman Tsarukyan as the most logical candidate for the bout.
Manager Ali Abdelaziz has teased that Justin Gaethje is closing in on his next fight, describing himself as very excited about a matchup involving an opponent Gaethje has never previously faced. The report is unconfirmed, but fans combing through the lightweight top-10 rankings have identified Arman Tsarukyan as the most logical name to fit the bill.
Gaethje, 37, holds a 28-5-0 record and is the current lightweight champion. Fighting out of Genesis Training Center in Arizona, the orthodox striker from the United States is one of the most relentless volume fighters in the division, landing 6.48 significant strikes per minute at a 58 percent accuracy rate. His ground output is minimal — just 0.33 takedowns per 15 minutes — making him a fighter who almost exclusively settles things on the feet.
The lightweight picture around Gaethje is crowded with threats. Ilia Topuria, ranked second in the division and first pound-for-pound, carries a 17-1-0 record and lands 4.81 significant strikes per minute. The 29-year-old Spaniard fights out of Climent Club and stands five-foot-seven with a 69-inch reach. Charles Oliveira, ranked third, brings a contrasting profile — the 36-year-old Brazilian owns a 37-11-0 mark and averages 2.6 submission attempts per 15 minutes, making him one of the most dangerous grapplers in any division.
Why it matters
- An unconfirmed opponent Gaethje has never faced narrows the realistic field and points fan speculation squarely toward Tsarukyan.
- Tsarukyan is not among the verified fighters in the available data, so no confirmed matchup can yet be assessed.
- A title defence would carry significant ranking implications for the entire 155-pound top-10.
- Gaethje's striking-heavy style guarantees a high-stakes stylistic test regardless of who steps across from him.
