Arman Tsarukyan doesn’t see himself getting first crack at Ilia Topuria’s light-weight gold.
After capturing the featherweight division’s high prize in 2024, ‘El Matador’ etched his identify within the historical past books at UFC 317, brutally KO’ing Charles Oliveira in the opening round to seize the 155-crown and turn into a two-division champion.
Since then, followers have been chomping on the bit to seek out out who could be first as much as problem Topuria’s light-weight title reign. Many assumed it might be Tsarukyan, contemplating he’s the division’s top-ranked contender.
However based on the person himself, the UFC is more likely to strike while the iron is hot by placing Paddy Pimblett in that spot over himself and former BMF titleholder Justin Gaethje.
“No, Gaethje gained’t combat Topuria,” Tsarukyan informed Sport24 (Russian translation by way of Championship Rounds). “It’s my opinion. The UFC can do no matter they need. The UFC might even put Topuria in opposition to a debutant. However I feel it’s extra prone to be Pimblett than Gaethje.”
Gaethje has been lobbying onerous for a 3rd shot on the light-weight title following his defeat of Rafael Fiziev in March. Sadly, it sounds as if the UFC is able to name Gaethje’s bluff.
Tsarukyan thinks Topuria’s keep at light-weight might be a brief one
Topuria solely defended his featherweight crown as soon as, scoring a vicious third-round KO in opposition to Max Holloway at UFC 308. A couple of months later, ‘El Matador’ laid down his gold in a bid to maneuver up and conquer one other weight class.
Because it seems, Tsarukyan believes that Topuria’s keep at light-weight could possibly be simply as quick as his reign at 145, however that every one depends upon how issues play out when Islam Makhachev challenges welterweight titleholder Jack Della Maddalena.
“I feel he’ll defend his title,” Tsarukyan stated of Pimblett. “If Islam wins the [welterweight] title, [Topuria] will transfer as much as 170 and need to turn into a triple champ.”
Topuria initially moved as much as light-weight intent on preventing Makhachev, who sat atop the 155-pound throne on the time. However virtually as quickly as Topuria introduced he was transferring up, so did Makhachev. If ‘The Dagestani Destroyer’ succeeds in his personal bid to turn into a two-division king, maybe we’ll see Toupria soar as much as 170, chasing each Makhachev and UFC historical past within the course of.
