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.
Ilia Topuria says he would vacate his title before giving Arman Tsarukyan the next title shot
“They are gonna give him a fight before the title shot… I’m the world champion. I’m never gonna give him a chance… If that’s the case, take my belt.”
@nelkboys pic.twitter.com/eZjrY2gvrk
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) July 24, 2025
“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.
Imagine calling yourself a champion, but you’re already looking for a way out. You can vacate it, or I’ll take it. Either way, it’s mine. https://t.co/37ioTAt2vk
— Arman Tsarukyan UFC (@ArmanUfc) July 24, 2025
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.
This story originally appeared on MMA Mania
