Khabib Nurmagomedov’s Opinion on Ilia Topuria vs. Arman Tsarukyan
Khabib Nurmagomedov is skeptical about Ilia Topuria’s chances against Arman Tsarukyan.
Topuria’s Lightweight Ambitions
At the start of 2025, discussions focused on Topuria stepping up to lightweight to challenge Islam Makhachev for the title. However, Makhachev also moved up, leading to Topuria fighting Charles Oliveira for the vacant championship and knocking him out at UFC 317. The attention now shifts to who Topuria will defend his title against, with Nurmagomedov believing that if it’s Tsarukyan, Topuria’s reign will be brief.
Nurmagomedov’s Analysis
“I don’t see a chance for Topuria,” Nurmagomedov told Kamil Gadzhiyev. He argued that while Topuria has power, Arman maintains distance well and has improved significantly since their last encounters. “He can now analyze Topuria’s style effectively,” Nurmagomedov added.
Confidence in Tsarukyan
Nurmagomedov regards Tsarukyan as one of the best lightweights currently. Drawing from his experience as a coach for Makhachev, he emphasizes Tsarukyan’s skills, including wrestling and ground techniques. “Arman can take him down and utilize effective elbow strikes,” he noted, stating that Tsarukyan wouldn’t engage in dangerous exchanges with Topuria.
Wrestling Advantage
Nurmagomedov assesses the matchup with an 80-20 outlook in favor of Tsarukyan. He stressed that wrestling has historically been crucial in these fights and pointed out Topuria’s prior opponents mostly lacked strong wrestling skills.
Challenges for Tsarukyan
Despite being the top contender, Tsarukyan may not secure a title shot immediately due to issues encountered at UFC 311. Other names like Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett could be prioritized, but Nurmagomedov believes Tsarukyan’s opportunity will arise eventually.
Future Fight Insights
“It will be an interesting fight,” Nurmagomedov remarked, acknowledging the UFC’s cautious approach to matching Topuria and Tsarukyan while pointing out Topuria’s star power. He believes Tsarukyan will make it impossible to be overlooked if he continues to perform well.
