Arman Tsarukyan is currently ranked No. 2 in the UFC’s lightweight division, and truly believes he will someday be champion, he even feels he would have won against undefeated former 155-pound king Khabib Nurmagomedov in the prime of his career.
While his next opportunity within the ranks of the UFC remains unclear at this time, Tsarukyan is staying busy in the world of combat sports and is fresh off his second straight victory over Georgio Poullas at Real American Freestyle 7. Additionally, he has been competing in multiple submission grappling matches to stay sharp as he has only been inside the octagon once (his victory last November over Dan Hooker) since UFC 300 in April 2024.
It is widely believed that the UFC will not make any plans for Tsarukyan this long before UFC Freedom 250 at the White House in June, as he could get the call to fill in for Ilia Topuria or Justin Gaethje if one of them falls out of the main event. Up next for the Armenian, while he awaits the call from the promotion regarding his next offer, he will make another wrestling appearance at RAF 7, when he faces former UFC champion and Hall of Fame inductee Urijah Faber.
Khabib Nurmagomedov retired at the top of his game back in 2020 following his title defense over Justin Gaethje that ended in a vicious submission. He stepped away with an undefeated record of 29-0, with 13 of those wins taking place inside the UFC octagon over the course of the final eight years of his career. But despite the accomplishments, including being inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in 2022, Tsarukyan feels that he is the more well-rounded fighter and would likely achieve a decision victory over the legendary former titleholder.
Tsarukyan explained his stance on the subject to combat sports journalist Hassan Yosufi in very simple terms in a recent video post to Instagram.
“It’s probably a decision,” he said. I’m more well-rounded than him.”
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