Arman Tsarukyan has addressed speculation regarding former UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev’s decision to move up to welterweight, specifically the idea that he did so to avoid a matchup with Ilia Topuria. Makhachev, who has a professional record of 27 wins and only one loss, recently vacated his 155-pound title in an effort to capture a second championship in a higher weight class.
Topuria, undefeated in his career with 16 wins and no losses, also relinquished his featherweight title to pursue a fight in the lightweight division but has not been able to secure a bout with Makhachev. Instead, Makhachev is slated to challenge Jack Della Maddalena, the newly crowned welterweight champion, while Topuria will face Charles Oliveira for the vacant lightweight belt at UFC 317 on June 28.
While Topuria believes that Makhachev’s exit from lightweight is an attempt to dodge him, Tsarukyan holds a different viewpoint. “No, I don’t agree,” he stated at a recent press conference. He described the upcoming fight between Makhachev and Della Maddalena as a challenging one, noting, “It’s going to be a tough fight, too. With Della Maddalena, it would be harder for Islam than the Topuria fight.”
Tsarukyan, who had to withdraw from a title fight against Makhachev due to a back injury, expressed his confidence in Makhachev’s abilities, predicting that he will emerge victorious against Della Maddalena. He highlighted Makhachev’s superior wrestling skills, stating, “Islam, I think he has a much better wrestling game and can easily take down Della Maddalena.”
In contrast, Tsarukyan recognized that while Topuria packs a powerful punch, Della Maddalena possesses more technical striking prowess. This analysis underlines Tsarukyan’s belief that each fighter presents unique challenges in the octagon.
Overall, this narrative showcases the evolving dynamics in the UFC lightweight and welterweight divisions, demonstrating the competitive spirit among fighters as they seek to assert their dominance. As Makhachev prepares for his welterweight title shot, fans can anticipate an exciting matchup, emphasizing the unpredictable nature of the sport.