Arman Tsarukyan is the fighter UFC commentator Daniel Cormier believes truly challenges lightweight champion Ilia Topuria.
Tsarukyan put on a dominant performance against Dan Hooker, submitting him in the second round at UFC Fight Night 265 in Qatar. While many expected Paddy Pimblett to get the next shot at Topuria , Cormier isn’t convinced that’s the right matchup anymore.
“I think Paddy Pimblett’s fun, I think Paddy Pimblett has a bright future in fighting, but I believe that the two best lightweights in the world, if Islam Makhachev is now the welterweight champion, are Arman Tsarukyan and Ilia Topuria, and that’s not even a question anymore,” Cormier said on his Good Guy/Bad Guy show with Chael Sonnen.
Cormier explained his reasoning, questioning Pimblett’s placement after Topuria captured the belt.
“I thought that Paddy Pimblett getting into the octagon after Ilia won the belt, to me, was a little bit odd because I didn’t feel like him beating Michael Chandler should have warranted him being in that spot. I thought that the biggest issue would be trying to do away with the images of Paddy in the cage with Ilia after he became the champion, but then when you watch Arman Tsarukyan last weekend – bro, he’s big, he’s strong, he can really wrestle, he can strike.
“He can do just about everything, and his top control is what’s a real issue, and I believe that’s the problem. That’s the scary thought for anyone that are Ilia Topuria fans because if there’s anyone that can replicate that game of Makhachev, or at least to a degree, it’s Arman Tsarukyan.”
Tsarukyan’s performance against Hooker wasn’t just a win, it was a statement. The 27-year-old showed he’s ready to step up to championship-level competition, and Cormier says Topuria fans should take notice.
While Topuria still appears more interested in fighting Pimblett or even moving up to challenge newly crowned welterweight champion Islam Makhachev, the emergence of Tsarukyan adds a dangerous contender to the lightweight division.
Cormier’s assessment leaves little doubt: for anyone keeping an eye on the UFC lightweight scene, Arman Tsarukyan is now a force to be reckoned with.
