Arman Tsarukyan says no lightweight can beat him now

Arman Tsarukyan believes the lightweight division holds no threats for him following Justin Gaethje's upset stoppage of Ilia Topuria at UFC White House.

Gaethje forced a corner stoppage at the end of the fourth round against Topuria last weekend, claiming the 155-pound belt in one of the division's biggest upsets. Tsarukyan, who has been pushing for the next title shot, says he can beat both the new champion and the dethroned titleholder.

Tsarukyan targeting Gaethje and Topuria

Speaking on The Ariel Helwani Show, Tsarukyan said he wants to deliver an even more brutal performance against Topuria if they meet. "I want to beat Justin Gaethje. I want to beat everybody," he said, per Sherdog. "And when Ilia is gonna be ready, if I'm gonna be a champion, I would like to do [to him] same as Justin did, even worse."

The 23-3 contender added that only one fighter had ever posed a real challenge at lightweight. "Only one guy [Islam Makhachev] who was tough, and he moved up to 170. Nobody in lightweight division can beat me right now."

Tsarukyan lost a decision to Makhachev in his UFC debut back in 2019. The two were scheduled to run it back for the title last year, but Tsarukyan withdrew a day before the bout with an injury. That pullout has kept him out of the title picture despite being widely considered the most deserving contender at 155 pounds.

Gaethje now holds the belt Tsarukyan has been chasing. Whether the UFC grants him the next shot remains to be seen.

Reported via:

• Sherdog — Arman Tsarukyan: 'Nobody in lightweight division can beat me right now'