Topuria On Tsarukyan's Striking Weakness

Ilia Topuria believes Arman Tsarukyan would look lost in the standup if his takedown game stalled in a potential lightweight clash.

The former two-division champion dropped his 155-pound belt to Justin Gaethje at UFC Freedom 250 and is eyeing a return. Speaking with Spanish outlet ABC, Topuria said Tsarukyan's entire approach crumbles when opponents shut down his wrestling, drawing a parallel to how Alexander Volkanovski exposed Movsar Evloev at UFC 333 by forcing him to strike.

Topuria Questions Tsarukyan's Ground Game

Topuria told ABC that fighters who build their confidence through consistent positional control unravel when that control disappears. "Arman would be pure panic on the feet trying to take you down," he said, per Sherdog.

The Spaniard broke down Tsarukyan's grappling as surface-level effective but lacking depth once the fight hits the mat. Tsarukyan secures takedowns and finds top spots well, Topuria said, but does not threaten much from there. Topuria cited his own background in wrestling and grappling as reason he could neutralize the Armenian's best weapon, noting he has competed in four world title fights across two divisions.

White told reporters the promotion is looking at early 2027 for Topuria's next fight, with no opponent announced yet.

Photo by ARTO SURAJ on Unsplash

Original reporting:

• sherdog.com — Ilia Topuria says Arman Tsarukyan would be 'pure panic' on the feet