UFC star points out weakness in Topuria's game and guarantees he would beat the champion: 'It's not a high level'

Ilia Topuria is the new lightweight champion. Photo: Reproduction/UFC

Winning the lightweight belt (up to 70,3 kg) with a brutal knockout over Charles of the Bronx in the main fight of UFC 317 put Ilia Topuria atop the organization's pound-for-pound rankings and extended the Georgian-Spanish fighter's undefeated record to 17-0. Still, Arman Tsarukyan believes that it would not be so difficult to dethrone the new champion.

In a recent interview with the former champion and current UFC commentator Daniel Cormier, the Armenian lightweight, ranked first in the category, returned to campaign for a title fight against Ilia Topuria and assured that the champion had never faced anyone with his wrestling skills.

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“I just need this fight to show everyone that I’m a different fighter. I’ve evolved a lot. I watched his first fight and he was doing a little wrestling and got really tired. He’s never faced wrestlers like me, with my style,” he said.

Tsarukyan pointed out the confrontation between Ilia Topuria e Bryce mitchell, won by the Georgian-Spanish fighter by submission, as proof that the current lightweight champion would not be a 'high level' fighter.

"Bryce mitchell He is the worst fighter in the featherweight division. He took Topuria down and held him on the ground. Even he managed to take him down and leave him without escape for a minute. I can guarantee that he is not top-level,” he concluded.

Arman Tsarukyan seeks new title shot

First place in the category ranking, Arman Tsarukyan would have the chance to fight for the lightweight belt in January, when he would be in the main fight of the UFC 311 against the then champion Islam makhachev. On the eve of the event, the Armenian claimed to have suffered a back injury during the weight cutting process and was replaced by the Brazilian Renato Moicano, who ended up being finished by the Russian in the first round of the duel.

Since then, Arman Tsarukyan has been campaigning for a new chance to fight for the title. The Armenian was even chosen as a reserve for the dispute between Ilia Topuria e Charles of the Bronx No. UFC 317.