Arman Tsarukyan, a prominent contender in the UFC’s lightweight division, has expressed his conviction that he could defeat Khabib Nurmagomedov at his peak. The 29-year-old fighter, renowned for his advanced striking, wrestling, and grappling abilities, stated he possesses the necessary skills to overcome the undefeated former champion.
When directly questioned about a hypothetical matchup between a prime version of himself and Nurmagomedov, Tsarukyan confidently responded, “Me.”
Tsarukyan further elaborated that should he face “The Eagle,” his strategy would lean towards securing a comfortable decision victory rather than pursuing a knockout or submission. He articulated his belief that his diverse skill set makes him “more well-rounded” than Nurmagomedov, fueling his confidence in overcoming the ex-UFC lightweight king. He emphasized, “My skills are my biggest advantage. I’m more well-rounded than him.”
Tsarukyan’s initial appearance in the UFC saw him face Islam Makhachev, a protégé of Nurmagomedov, resulting in a unanimous decision loss. Nevertheless, “Ahalkalakets” has since forged a significant career within and beyond the UFC, demonstrating consistent dominance in the octagon, achieving success in other promotions, and maintaining a top lightweight ranking for over a year. A hypothetical bout between Tsarukyan’s elite wrestling prowess and Nurmagomedov’s world-class judo and sambo, especially during their younger years, would undoubtedly have been a captivating spectacle.
Khabib Nurmagomedov Believes Arman Tsarukyan is Currently the Best Lightweight
Interestingly, Khabib Nurmagomedov himself recently acknowledged Arman Tsarukyan as the current top lightweight fighter globally. Nurmagomedov conveyed in a recent discussion that he doesn’t believe even two-division UFC champion Ilia Topuria possesses the capabilities to defeat Tsarukyan.
He commented, “Arman is the best lightweight in the world right now. I don’t think Topuria has a chance at beating him. The UFC is being cautious by not making the fight.”