Arman Tsarukyan on the belt showdown and potential rivals

Arman Tsarukyan talked about the showdown for the UFC lightweight belt. The leading fighter defined the range of potential rivals, it is extremely narrow.

Arman Tsarukyan was supposed to fight for the UFC lightweight division title at the beginning of the year. Unfortunately, Ahalkalakets had health problems the day before the weigh-in and had to withdraw from his blockbuster fight with Islam Makhachev. Tsarukyan says he will be ready to return in late April/early May, however, according to Dana White, he is not expected to rematch the champion from Dagestan.

Fans await the announcement of a return date and the name of Tsarukyan’s opponent. Arman himself seems to be setting high conditions and has severely limited matchmakers’ creativity and room for improvement. During an interview with The Schmo, the Armenian-born fighter made it clear what he expects when it comes to a showdown for the lightweight division belt.

Arman Tsarukyan on playing for the belt

– I think there will be a fight between Makhachev and Topuria.

Arman Tsarukyan is now counting on Islam Makhachev to face Ilya Topuria. So what about Arman’s potential opponents? Tsarukyan wants only an opponent from the top five of the UFC rankings.

– I, for one, am open to fighting anyone from the top five of the ranking. I don’t want to fight someone from the top ten, because I want to fight to be the next title contender. I already had such a fight.

Thus, the only choices left for matchmakers are Charles Oliveira, Justin Gaethje, Dustin Poirier and Max Holloway. Of course, it should be kept in mind that they do not have to comply with the fighter’s wishes, and Dana White and Hunter Campbell may also have a lot to say here.