Arman Tsarukyan Calls Out UFC for Protecting Ilia Topuria: “Trying to Make Him Superstar”

#1 lightweight Arman Tsarukyan calls out Ilia Topuria for inactivity as the lightweight champion has not fought since June 2025.

Arman Tsarukyan Calls Out UFC for Protecting Ilia Topuria: “Trying to Make Him Superstar”

Arman Tsarukyan talks about Ilia Topuria's sudden rise (via Cageside Press)

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The conversation around divisional activity has grown as the UFC continues to navigate a busy 2025 schedule. Champions and contenders across multiple weight classes are being evaluated for timing and momentum. The lightweight division faced a major turn after Ilia Topuria won the championship at UFC 317. However, he is yet to defend the belt and was recently called out by Arman Tsarukyan for inactivity.

Topuria moved up from featherweight after vacating the 145-pound belt in April 2025 to pursue Islam Makhachev. Instead, he won the lightweight title by knocking out Charles Oliveira at UFC 317, as Makhachev had already gone to welterweight. During this period, Tsarukyan faced scrutiny from UFC CEO Dana White, who refused to grant him a title opportunity at the time for withdrawing from UFC 311.

Topuria has not fought since capturing the lightweight title and has no scheduled bouts. He has discussed the possibility of moving to welterweight to pursue a third-division milestone. He has also expressed interest in potentially chasing Makhachev to 170 pounds, which would leave the lightweight division stagnant. This context leads into Tsarukyan’s recent remarks about ‘El Matador’s inactivity.

He’s trying to find easy fights and to defend that belt and go up, and UFC is trying to make him a superstar and defend the title. Because right now he cannot go up to 170 because he didn’t defend the title. You gotta prove you are a real champion.

Arman Tsarukyan via Ariel Helwani

Tsarukyan reinforced his position by winning the No. 1 contender fight at UFC Qatar against Dan Hooker. After the victory, he directed his callout toward Topuria and pushed for a title fight. The two have since entered a heated online rivalry. Topuria escalated the exchange by posting an old video and calling Tsarukyan scared. The Armenian star clapped back at Topuria, calling him out for making false allegations.

There have been ongoing rumors that the UFC is saving Topuria for the first UFC event on Paramount+ scheduled for January 2026. Topuria recently fueled this speculation by hinting at the timing of his return. He also suggested his first title defense could involve longtime rival Paddy Pimblett. These discussions have created uncertainty about the division’s schedule.

Pimblett’s sudden ranking rise and rivalry with Ilia Topuria have made him the leading candidate for the next lightweight title shot. Arman Tsarukyan also remains a top contender after defeating Hooker in the No. 1 contender bout. Their recent performances have secured their positions at the top of the division. The UFC is now expected to consider one of them for the next lightweight championship fight.

Arman Tsarukyan reveals why he wants to fight Ilia Topuria and not avenge his loss against Islam Makhachev

Arman Tsarukyan first faced Islam Makhachev at the beginning of his UFC career in 2019, suffering a unanimous decision loss to the Dagestani native. He was scheduled for a rematch at UFC 311 in January 2025, but had to withdraw due to a back injury. The canceled fight delayed his immediate path toward the lightweight title. These encounters set the stage for his current position in the division.

Islam Makhachev believes Arman Tsarukyan deserves to fight Ilia Topuria
Arman Tsarukyan wants to fight Ilia Topuria rather than Islam Makhachev (via X)

Tsarukyan currently holds the No. 1 spot in the UFC lightweight rankings and is focused on a title shot against Ilia Topuria rather than seeking revenge against Makhachev. With the Dagestani superstar permanently at welterweight, a rematch is no longer feasible. ‘Ahalkalakets’ sees this matchup as the most direct path to securing the championship.

My focus is 155 and I want to get a title here and I want tot be a champion here and defend the title. I do have a history with Islam, but he moved to 170 and isn’t coming back down. Ilia Topuria is fake. In real life, he behaves differently — on camera, he talks a lot of sh*t, but he’s a completely different guy.

Arman Tsarukyan via Ariel Helwani

Arman Tsarukyan’s remarks follow Topuria’s recent statements about potentially facing Paddy Pimblett if a move to welterweight is blocked. The inactivity of IliaTopuria, combined with Makhachev’s permanent move to 170 pounds, has reinforced Tsarukyan’s title ambitions. His position as the top contender remains firmly established.

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