Ilia Topuria is interested in facing Arman Tsarukyan in the UFC octagon, at least according to his coach, Javi Climent. Since winning the lightweight title (up to 70,3 kg), the Georgian-born Spaniard has seen a line of potential challengers forming, with the Armenian emerging as the main name in the title race. Despite the favorable scenario, the fight has not yet materialized and, according to the coach, the responsibility lies with the organization itself.
In an interview with journalist Álvaro Colmenero, Climent indicated that Tsarukyan has been putting pressure behind the scenes to make the fight happen, but has also accumulated friction in his relationship with the UFC. According to the coach, Arman is 'paying' for misguided decisions with the company, while gradually trying to regain ground in the division. Even so, the coach acknowledges that Topuria views the possibility of facing the challenger favorably.
“He’s a guy who’s been pushing hard to fight us, but he’s made several mistakes with the company, and Dana is making him pay for it. He’s slowly earning his place, and it’s a fight that sounds good and we’re not ruling it out; in fact, we’d like to face him,” said Javi Climent.
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Despite liking the matchup, Climent also questioned Tsarukyan's ability to compete on equal terms with the champion. In the coach's assessment, Topuria would have an advantage not only technically, but also psychologically, especially given the expectation of a fight involving takedown attempts by the Armenian. For him, the context of MMA, with its constant striking and physical imposition, would be decisive in exposing a difference in skill level between the athletes.
“I don’t see him capable of facing us. Ilia would really wear him down mentally. He’ll try to take him down, but he won’t succeed; his mind won’t respond well. This is MMA, not wrestling. Here, you get beaten up. Arman isn’t on Ilia’s level,” the coach concluded.
Arman Tsarukyan forgotten by UFC
Arman Tsarukyan is ranked first in the lightweight division. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
Despite holding the number one ranking in the lightweight division (up to 70,3 kg), Arman Tsarukyan has yet to have the opportunity to fight for the UFC belt. When he was finally scheduled to fight for the title at UFC 311 , the Armenian ended up injuring his back the day before the fight and had to be removed from the card, being replaced by Renato Moicano.
As if that weren't enough, Tsarukyan was subsequently placed only as a reserve in the fight between Charles Oliveira and Ilia Topuria , valid for the vacant belt at UFC 317. Then, in the interim lightweight title fight at UFC 324, the athlete wasn't even considered by the organization, which opted instead for Paddy Pimblett and Justin Gaethje.
After watching the American defeat the Briton and win the interim belt, it seems that Arman Tsarukyan will once again watch a lightweight title fight without his name involved, since Justin Gaethje and Ilia Topuria are lined up for a title unification bout.
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