Former UFC Lightweight Champion Explains Why Arman Tsarukyan Is Ilia Topuria’s Worst Nightmare
Former UFC lightweight champion and current BMF titleholder Charles Oliveira has given his two cents on a potential Arman Tsarukyan vs. Ilia Topuria matchup.
Tsarukyan, the No. 2 UFC 155-pound contender, is confident that he can dismantle Topuria on any given day inside the octagon. The Armenian believes he’s more well-rounded than the former two-division titleholder. After Topuria’s title loss to Justin Gaethje last month, “Ahalkalakets” is even more confident that Topuria will be easy game for him.
Recently, Oliveira, who has shared the octagon with Tsarukyan in the past and lost by split decision, and was knocked out cold by “El Matador” at UFC 317, gave his two cents on how a potential Topuria vs. Tsarukyan matchup could play out.
Charles Oliveira says Arman Tsarukyan has the right tactic to stop Ilia Topuria
Speaking to ALF Global, Charles Oliveira opined that Arman Tsarukyan has the perfect style to suppress the superpowers “El Matador” possesses. The 36-year-old believes Tsarukyan’s ability to take down his opponents and ragdoll them is the key tactic he must rely on if he ever faces the Georgian-Spaniard. “Do Bronxs” said:
“I think Arman [Tsarukyan] is quite capable of winning. Ilia [Topuria] definitely has the power to knock you out cold. If you look closely at Tsarukyan’s fights, all he does is take his opponents down to the ground. If it goes to the ground, it’s a completely different game. I think that’s the right tactic against Topuria.”
Check out Charles Oliveira’s comments about Arman Tsarukyan and Ilia Topuria below:
Tsarukyan most recently claimed that by the end of 2026, he will have two UFC titles under his name. His team has already shown interest in running it back with Oliveira, who now has the BMF strap. The Armenian’s comments strongly suggest that he plans to beat the Brazilian first and then march forward to dethrone newly minted lightweight champion Justin Gaethje.
During the same ALF Global interview, while speaking about Topuria’s chances against 170-pound champ and P4P king Islam Makhachev, the Brazilian added:
“Honestly, I think Islam is a step ahead right now. He’s improved a lot in striking, and he has a completely different grip, so I think he can win.”
Check out Charles Oliveira’s comments below:
