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Ilia Topuria has once again stirred headlines, this time by openly questioning Arman Tsarukyan’s credentials as a legitimate lightweight threat. Speaking during an appearance on Adin Ross’ Kick stream, the 29-year-old made it clear he does not view Tsarukyan as his biggest challenge inside the Octagon.
“(Tsarukyan is) my toughest challenge? No way,” Topuria said. “I’ve already had my toughest challenges.”
The bold declaration sets the tone for what could become one of the division’s most heated rivalries.
Questioning Arman Tsarukyan’s finishing ability
Topuria didn’t stop at dismissing the matchup’s difficulty. He pointed to Tsarukyan’s past setbacks and questioned his ability to close fights against elite opposition.
“He lost to Islam. He lost to (Mateusz) Gamrot. He got knocked out in the beginning of his career. And he doesn’t really have the ability to finish the fight. He only finishes the fights when his opponent gets tired, and he just goes on the ground and does the ground and pound and all that.
“But if he faced someone who really has that preparation, has that cardio, he doesn’t get scared if he goes to the ground, he’s going to suffer,” Ilia Topuria added.
By highlighting those defeats and stylistic critiques, Topuria framed himself as a fundamentally different level of opponent — one he believes Arman Tsarukyan would struggle to handle.
“With me, He will Panic”: Ilia Topuria
Topuria’s confidence bordered on absolute certainty as he described how a potential fight would unfold.
“Arman, easy. Because he will panic. With me, he will panic. What’s he going to do? I always used to say, when I’m in training camp, I know how it feels when you feel pain. I know how it feels when you feel tired. I know how it feels when you feel like you can’t do more, and you keep doing it.
“I know about myself that there’s not a situation that I’m going to give up… You’re going to have to kill me. And you know what, I love my life, and I’m not ready to die.”
The statement underscores Topuria’s self-belief and mental resilience, traits he views as decisive advantages.
A rivalry heating up
Whether a fight materializes or not, the verbal exchanges have intensified interest in a potential clash. With both fighters positioned near the top of the lightweight rankings, Ilia Topuria’s comments add fuel to an already compelling narrative.
If the matchup becomes official, the Octagon may ultimately determine whether Arman Tsarukyan can silence the criticism — or if Topuria’s confidence proves justified.
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