Ilia
Topuria believes Arman
Tsarukyan would struggle with his striking if he could not
dictate where a potential fight took place.
The former two-division
Ultimate Fighting Championship champion is planning his return
after losing the lightweight title to Justin
Gaethje at
UFC Freedom 250.
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Ilia Topuria questions Arman Tsarukyan’s striking and ground
game while discussing a potential UFC lightweight matchup
Speaking to Spanish outlet ABC,
Topuria compared a potential matchup with Tsarukyan to Alexander
Volkanovski’s victory over Movsar
Evloev at
UFC 333. He suggested Tsarukyan would become uncomfortable if
his wrestling failed to produce its usual results.
“Arman would be pure panic on the feet trying to take you down,”
Topuria said. “Like Movsar against Volk, the same thing. They are
used to dominating all the time, and their confidence grows through
that domination.”
Topuria distinguished Tsarukyan’s ability to secure takedowns and
dominant positions from his broader ground game.
“Arman does not stand out for his ground game,” Topuria said. “He
stands out for takedowns and the dominant positions he looks
for.”
Topuria also pointed to his own grappling background as a reason
for his confidence.
“I have been world champion in two divisions, in four world title
fights. … I grew up grappling and wrestling. I have more
wrestling photos than photos playing in the park. It’s my life,”
Topuria added.
UFC CEO Dana White has said the promotion is targeting an early
2027 return for Topuria, although no opponent has been
announced.
Ilia Topuria predicts Arman Tsarukyan would
panic if his takedowns failed, drawing a comparison with Movsar
Evloev against Alexander Volkanovski. “Arman would be pure panic on
the feet, trying to take you down. Like Movsar against Volk, the
same thing. They are used to dominating all the time and their
confidence grows through that domination.“ Via : @abc_es /
@KOlmeneroMMA— FREAK.MMA (@FREAKMMA1)
November 7, 2026