Jon Jones picks Arman Tsarukyan over Ilia Topuria in fantasy matchup

Jon Jones thinks Arman Tsarukyan would beat Ilia Topuria in a lightweight bout.

Jones attended an International Boxing Association event in Moscow this weekend alongside Tsarukyan, Petr Yan, and Alexander Volkov. When asked who would win a fight between Tsarukyan and Topuria, the UFC heavyweight champion did not hesitate. "You already know, Arman all day," Jones said, per Sherdog. Tsarukyan joked afterward that he would have wrestled Jones if the answer had gone the other way.

Why Tsarukyan-Topuria never happened at lightweight

The matchup should have materialized when Topuria moved up to 155 pounds, but Tsarukyan had fallen out of favor with UFC brass after withdrawing from a scheduled title fight against Islam Makhachev. Topuria instead faced Charles Oliveira for the vacant lightweight strap and won. While Tsarukyan later campaigned for a shot at Topuria, the Georgian-Spaniard said he wanted to fight Paddy Pimblett instead.

Pimblett went on to lose an interim title fight to Justin Gaethje while Tsarukyan remained on the sidelines. Topuria then defended his interim belt against Gaethje earlier this month at UFC White House, but Gaethje battered him over four rounds until Topuria's corner threw in the towel. Tsarukyan reportedly believes Topuria will not return the same fighter after his first professional loss, which makes the fight less appealing now.

Tsarukyan is 23-3 overall. Topuria is 17-1 and scheduled to face doctors for medical clearance before any return date is set.

Reported via:

• Sherdog — Jon Jones believes Arman Tsarukyan beats Ilia Topuria