Khabib Nurmagomedov has a clear favorite in mind if Arman Tsarukyan and Ilia Topuria were to meet for the lightweight title, and it is not the reigning champion.
Speaking in a recent interview, the undefeated former lightweight icon made no attempt to conceal his assessment. “I don’t see Topuria having a chance,” Khabib said plainly. His reasoning was rooted not in personal bias, but in a breakdown of stylistic matchups at 155 lbs (70.3 kg).
At the center of Khabib’s argument is Topuria’s competition history. “I believe right now, the best lightweight is Tsarukyan,” he said. “I’d say it’s 80%-20% in Arman’s favor.”
Topuria, who knocked out Charles Oliveira at UFC 317 last June to claim the undisputed lightweight title, carries a perfect 17-0 record. Yet Khabib is critical of that record.
“We all know the level of wrestling that Holloway and Oliveira had. It’s practically nonexistent,” he observed. “But a guy who wrestles, Topuria hasn’t faced that. He’s only competed against strikers.”
The Georgian champion’s path to the top has run almost exclusively through opponents who preferred to operate on their feet, and Khabib believes that gap in experience would prove costly against Tsarukyan.
“Arman competes at distance with strikers. He keeps distance well, works better with his legs,” Khabib explained, describing why a grappler of Tsarukyan’s caliber would present an entirely different kind of problem.
He added that Tsarukyan could use his wrestling to neutralize Topuria’s most dangerous range entirely, dragging him to the mat with sharp elbows, back control and relentless pressure rather than engaging on Topuria’s preferred terms.
Khabib also talked about their physical dimensions. “He’s almost 10 centimeters taller, if I’m not mistaken. And he has more weight. And on match day he’ll be heavier,” Khabib noted of Tsarukyan, whose natural size advantages could translate into significant leverage once the contest moves to the ground.
Despite his conviction, Khabib acknowledged that the matchup may not materialize as soon as fans might hope. “I know the UFC is cautious,” he said, pointing to the promotional value surrounding Topuria.
The Georgian champion has grown into one of the sport’s most recognizable personalities, and Khabib suggested the organization has little appetite for rushing a matchup that could prematurely remove him from that position.
“He’s currently a bigger media personality than Arman,” Khabib added, hinting at the commercial calculation that quietly shapes title picture decisions.
For now, Topuria’s next scheduled outing is a title unification bout against interim champion Justin Gaethje on June 14. Gaethje claimed the interim belt with a victory over Paddy Pimblett at UFC 324, setting up a contest that will determine the division’s undisputed champion before any serious conversation about Tsarukyan can advance.
Meanwhile, Tsarukyan rides a five-bout winning streak.
