Tension is mounting between UFC Lightweight Champion Ilia Topuria and top contender Arman Tsarukyan.
Ilia Topuria ascended to the UFC`s pound-for-pound number one spot following a brutal knockout victory over Charles Oliveira at UFC 317. Topuria joined a select group of UFC elites who have captured championships in multiple divisions.
Following his knockout of Oliveira at UFC 317, Topuria had an intense faceoff with Paddy Pimblett in the center of the Octagon. Many speculate that Topuria vs. Pimblett could be the next lightweight title bout, although Arman Tsarukyan and Justin Gaethje are also contenders for Topuria`s first defense in the lightweight division.
While Tsarukyan might need to secure at least one more victory before earning another title opportunity, he has certainly caught the lightweight champion`s attention.
Ilia Topuria Responds to Arman Tsarukyan, Calling Him a `Total Jerk` Over Post-Fight Comments
Tsarukyan has downplayed Topuria`s performance at UFC 317, accusing the new lightweight champion of being one-dimensional. He cited one of Topuria`s previous featherweight victories as an illustration of perceived weaknesses.
Shortly after UFC 317, in an interview with The New York Post, Tsarukyan was asked about his strategy for a potential fight against Topuria.
“`I`ll just take him down, hold him, and just maul him,` Tsarukyan stated. `I`ll finish him on the ground. He won`t be able to escape from me. He`s only good at one thing: boxing!`”
In a recent interview with ABC Spain, Topuria offered his response to Tsarukyan.
“`He`s a total jerk! Did you see his fight against Charles Oliveira? How many times was he close to submitting him and forcing him to tap?` Topuria retorted. `He faced so many submission attempts. He`s a total jerk. I can assure you, I will finish Arman Tsarukyan.`”
Topuria aims to return to the Octagon before the end of the year for his initial lightweight title defense. Tsarukyan was scheduled to face Islam Makhachev for the title at UFC 311 but withdrew due to a back injury; his next fight has not yet been announced.
UFC CEO Dana White remained non-committal regarding Topuria`s next opponent after UFC 317. With tensions rising between Topuria and Tsarukyan, the matchmakers likely have plenty to consider.
Ilia Topuria`s UFC 317 Weigh-in Controversy Drew a Strong Reaction from a Former Referee
Just hours before his knockout victory over Oliveira, Topuria was involved in an unusual incident during the UFC 317 ceremonial weigh-in. As he stepped onto the scale, his weight was initially announced as 155.5 lbs, half a pound over the championship limit.
Following a brief, awkward pause, an official from the Nevada State Athletic Commission then declared that Topuria had successfully met the championship weight requirement. Former referee `Big` John McCarthy recently stated his conclusion that Topuria did not cheat, despite some speculation that he had missed weight prior to UFC 317.
Throughout his UFC career, Topuria has never failed to make weight.
