The lightweight division just got more complicated. Arman Tsarukyan, the current No. 1 contender, was expected to welcome Ilia Topuria to the 155-pound division in a title eliminator fight. However, Topuria has shut the door on that possibility, insisting he deserves a direct shot at Islam Makhachev’s championship.
This move has left Tsarukyan in limbo, despite earning his place at the top of the rankings. With Team Khabib pushing for a structured path to the title, the UFC now faces a tough decision—follow tradition or fast-track Topuria to a title fight?
Arman Tsarukyan Left Without an Opponent
Arman Tsarukyan has been vocal about wanting the next title shot, having defeated top contenders and proving himself as a legitimate challenger. Naturally, when Topuria announced his move to lightweight, Tsarukyan seemed like the perfect test before a title opportunity.
But Topuria isn’t interested. A source close to the Spanish-Georgian fighter told Russian news agency TASS:
“Ilia wants a championship fight. He will not fight for the status of a contender with Tsarukyan or anyone else.”
This outright refusal leaves Tsarukyan without a clear path forward. With Makhachev focused on his next move, Tsarukyan may be forced to take another fight, risking his ranking and title chances.
Team Khabib Backs Tsarukyan, UFC Caught in the Middle
Islam Makhachev and Team Khabib have made their stance clear—Topuria needs to prove himself before challenging for the belt. Makhachev himself commented on the situation, saying:
“I’m not going to give him a shot right away because he hasn’t done the work in this weight class. There are still contenders he needs to beat first.”
With the UFC often prioritizing star power over rankings, there’s no guarantee Tsarukyan will get what he’s earned. Javier Mendez, Makhachev’s coach, even admitted that if the UFC pushes for a Topuria vs. Makhachev fight, his fighter will accept it:
“All Islam needs is two months to prepare. If the UFC offers it, Islam will take it.”
This puts Tsarukyan in a tough spot. If the UFC bypasses him for Topuria, he may have to take another fight just to stay relevant in the title picture.
