Arman Tsarukyan has secured a lightweight title shot against champion Ilia Topuria following his reliable performance as a backup fighter at UFC 317 in Las Vegas earlier this year. Despite withdrawing from UFC 311 in January, Tsarukyan’s completion of all required steps—including making weight and attending the event—has positioned him as the logical contender for Topuria’s next defense.
Expert Insight Confirms Tsarukyan vs. Topuria as Next Lightweight Title Bout
Retired UFC middleweight Chael Sonnen shared his certainty about the upcoming matchup with MMA Junkie, stating,
“I’m not sharing my opinion, I’m sharing a fact with you: It’s Arman vs. Ilia,”
and added,
“That is 100 percent the plan. He got put through purgatory and had to get out of it, but he did. When he showed up, got licensed, weighed in, went through a training camp and he has to sit in the first row and even watch Paddy ‘The Baddy’ get in the ring and get the attention and not him, I’m just saying, there is an appreciation, historically, that has shined down — and it’s also going to be shown to him.”
These remarks highlight Tsarukyan’s perseverance and readiness to step into the title scene.
Context Behind the Upcoming Fight: UFC 317 and Rivalries
At UFC 317, Topuria claimed the vacant lightweight championship by decisively defeating former titleholder Charles Oliveira. Tsarukyan was present cageside during that event, witnessing firsthand Topuria’s rise and the ensuing intense faceoff between Topuria and rival Paddy Pimblett. UFC President Dana White later suggested that the confrontation between Topuria and Pimblett was unexpected and should not have occurred, underscoring the unpredictable nature of the lightweight division.
Tsarukyan’s Position as Top Contender and Topuria’s Response
With a record of 22 wins and 3 losses, Tsarukyan remains the highest ranked lightweight contender available, making him the most reasonable choice for Topuria’s first title defense. Despite this, Topuria, nicknamed El Matador, has expressed a reluctance to face Tsarukyan and implied he might vacate the title rather than compete against him. Sonnen elaborated on the challenge Tsarukyan poses, saying,
“Matchup-wise, the hardest matchup for Ilia is Arman Tsarukyan,”
and explained,
“I think the world would lean toward Topuria right now. He’s just the flavor. He’s hot. He’s undefeated and he’s the champion of the world. (He) should be two-division champion, BMF champion, lineal-wise. But if Tsarukyan gets his hand on you, you’ve got a problem.”
Next Steps: UFC to Announce Topuria’s Upcoming Fight Soon
The UFC is expected to finalize and announce Ilia Topuria’s next fight in the upcoming weeks, with Tsarukyan heavily favored as the challenger. This fight will be significant in defining the future direction of the lightweight division, given Tsarukyan’s strong standing and Topuria’s unbeaten status as champion. Fans and analysts alike are watching closely to see how this title defense materializes and what it means for both fighters’ legacies.