Arman Tsarukyan is ’70 per cent’ confident that he will get the next lightweight title shot over Paddy Pimblett.
The Liverpudlian has been relentlessly campaigning for a fight with newly minted 155lbs champion and bitter rival Ilia Topuria since he picked up the belt in June.
2
Topuria traded verbal blows with Pimblett after his victory before shoving the LiverpudlianCredit: Getty
In the immediate aftermath of Topuria’s devastating first-round knockout win over Charles Oliveira, Pimblett stormed the cage to confront the Spaniard and stake his claim to the belt.
However, he may be forced to wait in line, judging from Tsarukyan’s recent comments.
“I’m number one in the rankings (aside from Islam Makhachev), but the UFC can do whatever they want,” said Tsarukyan
“Even if I won’t get a title shot next, if I keep winning, they won’t have a choice but to give me one.
“I think there is a 70 per cent chance I’ll fight Topuria next.
“They didn’t even offer me anyone else. We’re only negotiating about a title fight.”
At the time of writing, Tsarukyan is ranked No.2 at lightweight behind former champion Islam Makhachev, who recently left the division in pursuit of the welterweight crown.
The Armenian had a 155lbs title fight with Makhachev fall through in January due to illness, and recently made weight as the back-up fighter for Topuria vs Oliveira.
It therefore seems a no-brainer that he would be next in line to face ‘El Matador’ ahead of Pimblett, who currently occupies the No.9 spot in the UFC ratings.
MMA analyst and three-time UFC title challenger Chael Sonnen certainly thinks so and has gone as far as to suggest that Topuria vs Tsarukyan is guaranteed to happen next.
2
Hooker believes Tsarukyan is likely to be his next opponentCredit: Getty
“I’m going to officially give you some of the worst-kept secret matchups going on in MMA right now, Ilia Topuria is fighting Arman Tsarukyan, and yes, I am telling you that,” Sonnen said.
“That fight is done, just so you understand…(Topuria is) not denying the fight, he has his approach that he has found to build fights.”
Sonnen is referring to Topuria recently insisting he would never give Tsarukyan a title shot during a live stream with the Nelk Boys.
“If I’m the world champion, I’m never giving him a chance [to fight for the title].
“I would be like, ‘Listen, if that’s the case, take my belt.’ I don’t do it.”
Tsarukyan fired back at Topuria’s comments by saying: “Imagine calling yourself a champion, but you’re already looking for a way out.”
“You can vacate it, or I’ll take it. Either way, it’s mine.”
However, it now appears that everything is moving in the right direction for the fight to get over the line.