UFC Lightweight Title Picture: Michael Bisping Suggests BMF Champion Could Bypass Arman Tsarukyan for Undisputed Shot

Former UFC middleweight champion and analyst Michael Bisping has offered a compelling perspective on the future of the lightweight division, suggesting that the winner of the upcoming BMF title bout between Max Holloway and Charles Oliveira at UFC 326 could potentially leapfrog top contender Arman Tsarukyan for a shot at the undisputed lightweight championship. The highly anticipated rematch between Holloway and Oliveira is scheduled to headline UFC 326 on March 7 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

The stakes for the main event are considerable, as Holloway, a former featherweight champion, and Oliveira, a former lightweight champion, will vie for the ceremonial BMF (Baddest Motherf***er) belt. This contest marks a significant rematch from their initial encounter in 2015, a featherweight bout that concluded prematurely due to a throat injury sustained by Oliveira. Since that time, both athletes have carved out Hall of Fame-worthy careers, cementing their legacies in the sport. Holloway holds a professional record of 25 wins and 7 losses (21-7 UFC), boasting a remarkable run as featherweight champion with multiple successful defenses. His recent performances include a highlight-reel knockout of Chan Sung Jung and a dominant decision win over Arnold Allen, though he has also experienced three losses to reigning featherweight king Alexander Volkanovski. Oliveira, with a record of 34 wins and 10 losses (1 NC) (22-10, 1 NC UFC), established himself as the lightweight division’s most prolific finisher, holding numerous UFC records for submissions and finishes. He regained significant momentum with a submission victory over Beneil Dariush after losing his undisputed lightweight title to Islam Makhachev, whom he had previously defeated to claim the vacant belt.

Despite the allure of the BMF title, Bisping emphasized that the primary motivation for both Holloway and Oliveira remains the undisputed world championship. "They’re fighting for the BMF belt, and that’s very cool," Bisping stated on his YouTube channel. "There’s only people at lightweight and welterweight that have had the opportunity to fight for that belt. However, they both want to get back with every fiber in their body. They want to be the undisputed champion of the world." This sentiment underscores the ultimate ambition of elite fighters, where ceremonial belts, while prestigious, often serve as stepping stones to the pinnacle of their respective divisions.

The current landscape of the UFC lightweight division is complex. Islam Makhachev holds the undisputed lightweight championship with a professional record of 25 wins and 1 loss (14-1 UFC), having successfully defended his title against Alexander Volkanovski twice. Justin Gaethje, with a record of 25 wins and 4 losses (8-4 UFC), currently holds the BMF title, which he secured with a spectacular knockout victory over Dustin Poirier. While the BMF belt is a distinct accolade, separate from divisional championships, its holder often garners significant fan attention and potential leverage in title contention discussions.

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Adding another layer of intricacy is Arman Tsarukyan, who currently sits as the number one contender in the lightweight rankings. Tsarukyan, holding a professional record of 22 wins and 3 losses (9-2 UFC), has built an impressive resume, most recently securing a pivotal victory over Charles Oliveira himself. He was reportedly slated for a lightweight title opportunity in January of 2025 before an unforeseen injury forced his withdrawal. This marked the second instance where Tsarukyan, often vocal about his championship aspirations, found himself bypassed for a direct title shot, having previously been overlooked for an interim title opportunity. His frustration is palpable, with Bisping acknowledging Tsarukyan’s belief that he is the "rightful No. 1 contender."

However, Bisping posited that the outcome of the Holloway-Oliveira clash could significantly alter the established pecking order. He raised the question directly: "Will they leapfrog Arman Tsarukyan?" Bisping articulated a scenario where an exceptionally dominant performance from either Holloway or Oliveira, particularly a sensational finish that ignites fan fervor, could sway the UFC’s decision-makers. "If Charles Oliveira and Max Holloway go out there and do something crazy, if we get Charles Oliveira finishing Max Holloway in sensational fashion, jumping over the octagon, running into the crowd like Jose Aldo in Rio de Janeiro, or like Charles Oliveira last time, in October in Rio de Janeiro? If something like that happens and the fans want it, guess what? Ilia Topuria or Justin Gaethje, they would welcome it."

The commercial appeal of such a high-profile matchup is a critical factor. A compelling performance from either Holloway or Oliveira, especially if it resonates strongly with the audience, could create a "money fight" scenario that the UFC might prioritize over a strictly meritocratic approach. The prospect of unifying the BMF belt with the undisputed lightweight championship further enhances the marketability of such a bout. As Bisping highlighted, "Being the BMF champ as well, there’d be a potential that you would have the undisputed belt and the BMF belt both on the line in the same fight." This dual-belt proposition could prove irresistibly attractive to the UFC, as well as to the champions of other divisions, such as featherweight king Ilia Topuria (15-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC), who may consider a move to lightweight for a superfight, or even Justin Gaethje, who holds the BMF title himself. Such a contest would undoubtedly generate massive pay-per-view numbers and global interest.

While Bisping acknowledged the traditional path where an interim champion typically faces the undisputed champion, he underscored the fluidity of modern UFC matchmaking, especially when significant commercial opportunities arise. The former champion concluded with a note of uncertainty regarding Tsarukyan’s fate: "Would that gazump Arman Tsarukyan? I don’t know." This statement encapsulates the ongoing debate within the sport regarding the balance between deserving contenders and the pursuit of blockbuster events.

The implications for Tsarukyan are profound. As a fighter who has consistently proven his mettle against top-tier competition, including his recent victory over Charles Oliveira, he represents the logical next challenge for the undisputed lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev. However, the potential for a "money fight" involving a BMF champion could delay or even temporarily deny his long-awaited title shot. This dynamic highlights the unique pressures and considerations that influence title contention in the contemporary UFC landscape, where fan engagement and marketability often play a significant role alongside pure athletic merit.

UFC 326 is scheduled to take place on March 7 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, promising to deliver a pivotal moment that could reshape the future of the lightweight division, potentially initiating a series of events that could see a BMF champion ascend directly to an undisputed title challenge, leaving top contenders like Arman Tsarukyan to navigate a more circuitous route.

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