Ilia Topuria Agrees to Fight Arman Tsarukyan If UFC Asks, Says He Can Knock “Ahalkalakets” Out
Ilia Topuria has finally agreed to fight Arman Tsarukyan. In the past, Topuria did not want to fight the Armenian, despite the latter being the top contender. “El Matador” instead wanted to lock horns with archrival Paddy Pimblett or Justin Gaethje.
Earlier this year, in Topuria’s absence, at UFC 324, “The Highlight” dismantled Pimblett and grabbed the interim lightweight championship, and by law, the Georgian-Spaniard will now have to meet Gaethje in a title unification bout next.
Meanwhile, in a recent interview with streamer Adin Ross, when Ross asked Topuria if he’s game to fight Tsarukyan, he said:
“If they [UFC] call and give me Arman, no fu***ng problem. I will fight him. I fought with so many tough opponents. I don’t care. If they give me that fight, I’m fighting him.”
Check out Ilia Topuria’s comments below:
“Ahalkalakets” last fought Dan Hooker at UFC Qatar in 2025, and won by Round 2 submission, after which he called out Topuria. However, the lightweight champ went on a hiatus from fighting, and in the meantime, Tsarukyan was denied a title shot for many reasons.
The Armenian has made it clear that his next fight will be for the undisputed lightweight championship, and if not, he would like to move down to 145 pounds and fight champion Alexander Volkanovski.
Ilia Topuria Says Arman Tsarukyan Will Struggle Against Opponents With Elite Cardio
Ilia Topuria does not consider the well-rounded Arman Tsarukyan a threat to his reign at 155 pounds, and believes that with a proper game plan and good cardio, any opponent can beat “Ahalkalakets.”
During the same sit-down with Adin Ross, Topuria said:
“He [Arman Tsarukyan] lost to Islam, he lost to Gamrot, he got knocked out at the beginning of his career, and he doesn’t really have the ability to finish the fights. He only finishes the fights when his opponent gets tired… If he faces someone who has that preparation and has that cardio. He’s gonna suffer.”
Topuria then added that if he ever locks horns with Tsarukyan, he can easily knock out the Armenian, and believes the latter would panic if he ever enters the octagon with “El Matador.”
Check out Ilia Topuria’s comments below:
