Arman Tsarukyan has suggested that Islam Makhachev’s welterweight ambitions could be adversely affected if he were to fight Ilia Topuria at lightweight first. Since Topuria vacated the featherweight belt, he is being touted to be the next challenger for Makhachev’s gold.
However, Makhachev wants to move up to welterweight instead, eyeing a double UFC championship. Tsarukyan believes the former could jeopardize the latter’s chances.
Fight with Ilia Topuria Could Ruin Islam Makhachev’s Welterweight Move
During a recent edition of UFC legend Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson’s “JAXXON Podcast,” Arman Tsarukyan addressed various topics, including the current UFC lightweight title landscape. He speculated that a fight against Ilia Topuria – win or lose – could become an obstruction for Makhachev’s welterweight goals.
For context, Tsarukyan, who Makhachev had outpointed in a non-title bout back in 2019, was booked to fight him again for the lightweight title in Jan. 2025. However, a back injury forced Tsarukyan out of the rematch.
UFC CEO Dana White later suggested that he wouldn’t be rebooked in a championship fight next and would have to earn another title shot.
Meanwhile, Topuria vacated his UFC featherweight belt earlier this year. He asserted that he aims to capture the UFC lightweight championship that has long been held by Makhachev.
During his aforementioned podcast appearance, Tsarukyan implied that Topuria ought to compete for the lightweight gold. He seemed to believe the Spaniard’s claim that the UFC promised him a title shot in exchange for him relinquishing the 145-pound belt.
The conversation veered to Makhachev’s recent disapproval of a potential fight against Topuria next. Tsarukyan explained how a possible clash against Topuria could impact Makhachev’s long-awaited move to the welterweight division.
‘Akhalkalakets’ indicated that even if Makhachev were to fight and defeat Topuria, fans may not back his move up to the 170-pound division afterward. The consensus would be that he beat a featherweight and not a real lightweight, when two of his four title defenses took place against a 145-pounder: Alexander Volkanovski.
As such, Tsarukyan claimed that Makhachev’s welterweight move could be delayed if he faces Topuria next. However, if the Dagestani faces and beats Tsarukyan instead, his path to welterweight would be clear, the latter insisted.
“Islam doesn’t want to fight him [Topuria] because if he wins, people are gonna say, ‘Okay. You again beat 145 fighters.’ And he’s not No. 1 contender,” Tsarukyan said. “If Islam beats me, then I think he’s done with this division. He beat everybody. He just gotta beat me, and then people can say that.”
However, Tsarukyan said the UFC may be inclined to book the Makhachev vs. Topuria matchup at lightweight if the former does not move to welterweight right away.
Watch Arman Tsarukyan discuss the topic at length below: