Arman Tsarukyan Advises Ilia Topuria to Pursue Islam Makhachev Bout, Highlighting Strategic Advantages and Divisional Stakes.

Arman Tsarukyan, a prominent contender in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) lightweight division, has articulated a pragmatic view regarding Ilia Topuria’s potential career trajectory, suggesting that Topuria should prioritize a fight against reigning lightweight champion Islam Makhachev over an immediate clash with Tsarukyan himself. This advice comes amidst significant anticipation surrounding Topuria’s next moves and the implications for the highly competitive lightweight and welterweight divisions.

Currently the undisputed UFC Featherweight Champion, Ilia Topuria (15-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC) is slated to move up a division to challenge Justin Gaethje (25-4 MMA, 8-4 UFC) for the BMF title at 155 pounds in the main event of the upcoming UFC White House card. Should Topuria emerge victorious against Gaethje, he has openly expressed intentions to challenge Islam Makhachev (25-1 MMA, 14-1 UFC), the reigning UFC Lightweight Champion, for his title. Topuria has further hinted at an ambitious pursuit of a third UFC title, potentially targeting the welterweight division (170 pounds) in the future, a strategic move that would bypass an immediate lightweight title defense against Tsarukyan (22-3 MMA, 9-2 UFC).

Despite Tsarukyan’s own desire for a lightweight title opportunity against Topuria, he believes that from a career perspective, Topuria would be judicious to pursue the Makhachev fight first, should the UFC facilitate such a matchup. Tsarukyan, fresh off a dominant performance at RAF 9, articulated his reasoning during his post-fight scrum. "If UFC let’s him move up, he’s going to move up," Tsarukyan stated. "It’s better to fight with Islam than me. Because it’s a third title, big money, and if he loses to Islam, it’s OK. He moved up to a weight class and lose to pound-for-pound [king]. But if he loses to me at 155, he’s gonna be gone."

Tsarukyan’s analysis underscores a critical strategic element in mixed martial arts: risk management versus reward. A bout against Islam Makhachev, widely regarded as one of the sport’s pound-for-pound elite, offers Topuria a chance at significant financial gain and the opportunity to become a two-division champion (Featherweight and Lightweight) – a rare feat in UFC history, potentially paving the way for an unprecedented third title pursuit at welterweight. From Tsarukyan’s perspective, a loss to Makhachev, particularly when moving up in weight class, could be more easily rationalized and would cause less damage to Topuria’s overall brand and standing. Such a defeat could be attributed to the challenge of competing in a heavier division against an all-time great.

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Conversely, Tsarukyan posits that a loss to him at the standard lightweight limit of 155 pounds would carry far more severe repercussions for Topuria’s career trajectory. A defeat to Tsarukyan, a direct rival within the lightweight division, could significantly diminish Topuria’s perceived invincibility and impact his future title aspirations, potentially relegating him to a position where he would need to rebuild his momentum. The phrase "he’s gonna be gone" suggests a substantial setback, implying a loss of prime contention status and a longer path back to a championship opportunity.

The dynamic between Tsarukyan and Topuria has been developing over several months, marked by public exchanges and Tsarukyan’s persistent lobbying for a shot at the lightweight title. Tsarukyan’s recent victory over former lightweight champion Charles Oliveira at UFC 300 further solidified his claim as a top contender, placing him firmly in the conversation for the next title shot. However, Topuria’s immediate focus remains on his upcoming challenge against Justin Gaethje, followed by his ambitious pursuit of Makhachev. This scenario has left Tsarukyan in a state of uncertainty, awaiting the resolution of Topuria’s planned fights to determine his own next opponent and timeline.

Tsarukyan expressed his anticipation for the outcome of the impending UFC White House card. "I’m waiting for the White House card," Tsarukyan commented when questioned about his next fight. "When they’re going to fight, and then they’re going to announce my next fight. Probably September, October, or the end of this year. Depends who is going to win. If it’s Ilia, probably end of this year. If it’s Gaethje, probably September, October." This timeline suggests that a Topuria victory might prolong Tsarukyan’s wait, as Topuria would likely then target Makhachev, pushing Tsarukyan’s title shot further into the year or even into early next year. A Gaethje victory, however, could potentially expedite Tsarukyan’s opportunity, as Gaethje would then be the BMF champion and a leading contender for the undisputed lightweight title, potentially setting up a more direct path for Tsarukyan.

Regarding the highly anticipated Topuria-Gaethje bout, Tsarukyan offered his prediction, acknowledging Gaethje’s formidable presence while leaning towards Topuria. "I think Ilia Topuria, but Justin, he’s an OG," Tsarukyan observed. "You never know. When he fought with Fiziev, everybody thought, young, good striker, going to knock him out, but he went there and showed still he can compete at the highest level." Gaethje’s unanimous decision victory over Rafael Fiziev in March 2023 served as a testament to his enduring ability to compete at the highest echelons of the sport, defying predictions that favored the younger, dynamic Fiziev. Tsarukyan assigned Topuria a slight edge, estimating the odds at "60-40 [Topuria]," reflecting the inherent unpredictability and high stakes of a clash between two elite strikers. Topuria enters the fight with an unblemished professional record and the momentum of a dominant knockout victory over Alexander Volkanovski to claim the featherweight title in February 2024. Gaethje, meanwhile, secured the BMF title with a spectacular head-kick knockout of Dustin Poirier in July 2023, showcasing his continued evolution and power.

Should Topuria prevail against Gaethje and subsequently pursue a challenge against Makhachev, the landscape of the lightweight division would become notably complex. Topuria’s aspiration to move to welterweight after a potential lightweight title capture would introduce further uncertainty. The welterweight division (170 pounds) is already characterized by a robust roster of contenders, including the likes of Leon Edwards (the current champion), Belal Muhammad, Shavkat Rakhmonov, and Colby Covington, making an immediate title shot for Topuria at 170 pounds far from guaranteed. Furthermore, given that Topuria only officially transitioned to the lightweight division for the Gaethje fight this year, the UFC might prefer him to solidify his presence and defend a potential lightweight title before embarking on another divisional ascent.

Despite the strategic considerations and potential delays, Tsarukyan believes there is a significant and growing public appetite for a showdown between him and Topuria. "I can see what people are saying and what social media is talking about," Tsarukyan remarked. "Everybody wants to see me vs. Ilia. Everybody is excited for that fight. Even me." This sentiment highlights the compelling narrative surrounding a potential clash between two of the most dynamic and ascendant fighters in the lightweight division, both known for their aggressive styles and championship aspirations. The eventual resolution of Topuria’s immediate challenges will undoubtedly dictate the immediate future of the lightweight title picture and, by extension, Tsarukyan’s path to championship gold. The coming months, particularly following the UFC White House event, are poised to be pivotal for these top-tier athletes and the UFC’s competitive landscape.

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