Cormier: Tsarukyan Must Get Next UFC Lightweight Title Shot

Arman Tsarukyan has become impossible to overlook for the next lightweight title shot, according to Daniel Cormier. The former two-division UFC champion said the promotion is backing the Georgian contender to face Justin Gaethje after the latter's stunning upset of Ilia Topuria at UFC White House.

Cormier revealed that UFC president Dana White singled out Tsarukyan during a recent conversation at The Ultimate Fighter. "We were speaking about how Arman has essentially made himself undeniable," Cormier said on his YouTube channel, per MMA Fighting. "One, because obviously he's won so many fights in a row, but his side quests, as you guys like to call it. Wrestling in RAF, boxing when he can, grappling when he can. He's been so active that the UFC can't ignore that, and the UFC honestly took note of it."

Why Tsarukyan beats Charles Oliveira for next shot

Tsarukyan rides a five-fight winning streak and has beaten the other major contender in play. Former champion Charles Oliveira campaigned this week for a unification bout with Gaethje, citing his BMF belt and recent wins over Max Holloway and Mateusz Gamrot. Cormier dismissed that logic. Tsarukyan already holds a win over Oliveira and has built star power through constant activity outside the cage, including appearances on major streaming platforms and a leadership role with RAF.

Cormier acknowledged that Topuria would have a case for an immediate rematch, but said Gaethje told Joe Rogan over the weekend that he felt he broke the former champion mentally during their fight. If Topuria does not get the rematch, Cormier said it has to be Tsarukyan. The Georgian's relentless schedule — grappling, boxing, and wrestling between UFC appearances — has drawn new fans to the sport, something White values.

As for Oliveira, Cormier suggested the Brazilian is searching for any opportunity to regain relevance. "Right now, he's the forgotten man," Cormier said. "And Justin Gaethje winning that fight literally put him further away from anything that he really wanted." Gaethje has yet to name his preferred opponent, though Tsarukyan appears positioned to get the call when the promotion announces its next lightweight title bout.

Original reporting:

• mmafighting.com — Daniel Cormier says Arman Tsarukyan has to get next UFC lightweight title shot: ‘Arman essentially made himself undeniable’ | MMA Fighting