The escalating feud at the top of the UFC lightweight division intensified this week as champion Ilia Topuria publicly dismissed Arman Tsarukyan’s challenge. During a widely viewed live stream with Adin Ross, Topuria rejected the idea that Tsarukyan posed any danger, stating, “What’s he going to do?” and adding that if they did meet in the Octagon, Tsarukyan would suffer for it.
This verbal skirmish is the latest episode in a rivalry that has steadily gained momentum over the last year. The friction between the two began in November 2025, following Tsarukyan’s decisive win over Dan Hooker. After calling out Topuria for a lightweight title shot, Tsarukyan found himself publicly rebuffed. Topuria took to social media, labeling Tsarukyan a “scared duck” and asserting, “Arman… you freeze up like a scared duck… I slapped you… just a few levels below me, kid.” Tsarukyan fired back on his own account, claiming Topuria’s comments reflected insecurity: “Your insecurity’s even clearer… If you want to know what a real slap feels like, I’ll be happy to educate you.”
Topuria again downplayed Tsarukyan’s credentials in a streamed conversation with the Nelk Boys, declaring, “First of all, who gives a f*ck about him… he’s kind of a weird dude… Me? I would go, even like that inside the octagon,” targeting Tsarukyan’s perceived lack of resilience and grit as a fighter.
Topuria’s ascent in the UFC has been formidable. Undefeated at 17-0, he quickly moved through the featherweight division before conquering lightweight, cementing his position as one of the sport’s leading finishers with a string of victories over the likes of Charles Oliveira, Max Holloway, and Alexander Volkanovski. However, recent calls for him to defend his belt against Tsarukyan, currently riding his own impressive streak, have only grown louder, particularly as other contenders have been booked for interim title fights.
Despite being positioned as the top available challenger, Tsarukyan saw his planned championship matchup with Islam Makhachev derailed due to injury. He quickly recovered his standing in the division following another victory and has repeatedly expressed his desire for a direct shot at Topuria. UFC’s recent booking of an interim lightweight title fight between Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett at UFC 324 sidelined Tsarukyan and prompted questions about the direction of matchmaking and the business considerations that influence it.
Critics of Topuria’s stance have not been shy. Commentator Michael Bisping questioned whether Topuria is willingly dodging the division’s top contender, asking, “Is Ilia Topuria pulling a Jon Jones? … Arman Tsarukyan is a real threat… If you’re the champion, you’ve got to fight the No. 1 guy”. The choice to bypass Tsarukyan for the next title shot has only added to the sense that divisions inside and outside the cage are shaping the next championship bout.
For Tsarukyan, the lack of immediate opportunity is a potentially pivotal career moment, with the risk of being passed over in favor of higher-profile or promotional favorites. For Topuria, ongoing questions about avoidance could undermine otherwise dominant performances inside the Octagon. Both fighters continue to engage across social media and interviews, feeding interest in a matchup that for now remains on hold.
The lightweight championship landscape remains unsettled. Until the UFC announces its next lineup, the contention between Topuria and Tsarukyan, marked by sharp words and unresolved business, will keep the division’s focus squarely on what comes next.
