Tsarukyan admits Ilia Topuria might ignore him again in the UFC: 'It's too much money'

Ilia Topuria is a rival of Arman Tsarukyan . Photo: SUPER LUTAS montage

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Arman Tsarukyan believes Ilia Topuria should ignore him in a possible next step in the UFC. Scheduled for the main event of UFC Casa Branca , set for June 14th, El Matador faces Justin Gaethje in a duel valid for the lightweight belt (up to 70,3kg) and, in case of victory, could have the opportunity to fight for his third title against the Russian in the welterweight division (up to 77kg), an alternative that his own Armenian rival considers more advantageous.

In a press conference at the RFA event, Tsarukyan stated that if the UFC allows him to move up a weight class, Topuria will not hesitate to accept the challenge against Makhachev. According to him, fighting for a third belt would involve greater financial return and less pressure in case of defeat. On the other hand, the Armenian stressed that a potential defeat for Topuria against him in the lightweight division would have a much more negative impact on his career.

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“If the UFC lets him (Topuria) move up a weight class, he will move up. It’s better to fight Islam than me, because it’s a third title, a lot of money, and if he loses to Islam, that’s fine. He moves up two weight classes and enters the pound-for-pound rankings. But, if he loses to me at lightweight (70,3 kg), he will disappear,” said Arman Tsarukyan.

Arman Tsarukyan forgotten by UFC

Arman Tsarukyan attacks Ilia Topuria once again. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

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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, Arman Tsarukyan once again witnessed a lightweight title fight without his name involved, as Justin Gaethje and Ilia Topuria are lined up for a title unification bout at UFC White House.

Johnny Walker opens up about his heavyweight debut at UFC 332.