Arman Tsarukyan has praised Conor McGregor as a 'GOAT in our sport' while also stating his belief that McGregor is 'done' following his injury at UFC 329.
Arman Tsarukyan has offered a pointed two-part assessment of Conor McGregor in the wake of UFC 329, calling the Irish star a legend of the sport while simultaneously suggesting his fighting career may be finished following the injury McGregor suffered at the event on July 11.
Tsarukyan, 29, holds the number-one contender ranking at lightweight and carries a professional record of 23-3. The Russian fighter, who trains out of American Top Team, is among the most well-rounded threats in the 155-pound division. Standing five-foot-seven with a 72-inch reach, he averages 3.85 significant strikes per minute at 50 percent accuracy and adds a dangerous wrestling dimension, averaging 3.26 takedowns per 15 minutes.
McGregor, 38, holds a career record of 22-7 and remains one of the most recognizable names the sport has produced. The southpaw Irishman out of SBG Ireland stands five-foot-nine with a 74-inch reach and built his legacy largely on his striking, averaging 5.27 significant strikes per minute over his career at 49 percent accuracy. He sustained an injury during his appearance at UFC 329, the circumstances of which prompted Tsarukyan's public comments.
In remarks reported following the event, Tsarukyan praised McGregor as a "GOAT in our sport" while also expressing his belief that the Irishman is "done" as a result of the injury. The comments amount to a respectful but blunt take from one of the division's premier active fighters.
Why it matters
- McGregor's status at lightweight directly affects the contender picture Tsarukyan is operating within
- Tsarukyan, as the ranked number-one contender, has obvious interest in clarifying who remains a factor in the division
- McGregor's injury at UFC 329 raises genuine questions about whether he will compete again at 38 years old
Saturday, July 11, 2026
