Ilia Topuria Denies Arman Tsarukyan

UltimateGround
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No one wants to fight Arman Tsarukyan.

The No. 1 ranked lightweight contender continues to be the least popular potential opponent for everyone at 155 pounds, including the new champion Ilia Topuria. Before that, Islam Makhachev begrudgingly gave “Akhalkalakets” a title shot — only to have the Armenian fighter withdraw due to a back problem during his weight cut.

Tsarukyan has since made weight as the backup for Topuria’s fight for Makhachev’s vacated lightweight title, but that wasn’t enough for “El Matador” to consider him a reliable opponent. He wants to see Tsarukyan fight at least once more before even considering him as a contender.

“Listen: when you put so much effort in this game and you have a guy in front who, you don’t know, that maybe he could pull out from the fight?” Topuria said in an interview with the Nelk Boys. “That’s not something good for us.”

“‘Ah, my back!’ Bro, I don’t f—ing care. They’re going to give him a fight before a title shot. Because there is no way — I’m the world champion. I’m never going to give him a chance to fight for the title. I would be like, ‘Listen, if that’s the case, take my belt.’ I don’t do it.”

Topuria isn’t out of line demanding that Tsarukyan actually compete at 155 again before getting a title shot. But by the end he sounded like he would never consider Arman as a contender, which is crazy. Let’s not get it twisted: Tsarukyan is without a doubt the toughest opponent for Topuria at lightweight right now. That used to mean something.

Tsarukyan commented on Topuria’s strong words in a X (formerly Twitter) reply.

“Imagine calling yourself a champion, but you’re already looking for a way out,” he wrote. “You can vacate it, or I’ll take it. Either way, it’s mine.”

There’s still no clear sign as to who Topuria might face in his first lightweight title defense. It could be Paddy Pimblett, it could be Justin Gaethje, it could even be Max Holloway again for the BMF belt. It certainly won’t be Arman Tsarukyan, if “El Matador” has anything to do with it.

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https://x.com/RedCorner_MMA/status/1948256538440966310

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Didn’t Arman just back out of a title fight??? Man I got shit for calling him out.

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I don’t think Topuria should give either Gaetjhe or Tsarukyan a shot, they’ve both been sitting out forever.

If he’s going to give either a shot without forcing them to fight he should pick Gaetjhe, it’s important for Topuria to win his next fight to keep a super fight at 170 on the table.

If I’m Topuria and I have to fight a Dagestani style fighter, he might as well do it at 170 against Islam for a 3rd belt.

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that was dude who got in fight walking in arena

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I think Topuria should fight whoever the UFC put in front of him.

He’s an elite fighter, but ever since he won a belt he’s been very outspoken about who he’s going to grant title shots to. It shouldn’t be up to him.

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Fuck Arman, give it to Justin and let Paddy fight Arman for next.

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Dagi? Hes armenian and a judo fighter.. am i missing something here?

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Holloway vs Arman title eliminator - fuck Paddy, feed him to Olivera for a bounce back fight

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if he thinks its an easy fight, why not take it?

u wanna defend your belt vs a goat? or a dan the wolfman?

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Paddy doesn’t want to fight Arman either lol.

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I typed “Dagestani style of fighter”

You’re thicker than expired peanut butter boy.

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https://x.com/dovysimumma/status/1948967135545336097?s=46

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Wait, Makhachev relinquished his LW belt? WTH?