Media Khabib: Right now Tsarukyan is the best lightweight in the world

[Jeffery09]

He has Arman as the favourite over Ilia in a potential fight.

“Arman fights too well at range against strikers. He keeps the distance well, works better with his kicks. And now Arman has improved a lot. He has footage that he can study and analyse. If they fought three years ago, maybe he wouldn’t have been as cautious. But now, you can clearly see what dangers Topuria brings.

“I believe right now, the best lightweight is Tsarukyan. Arman can take people down, he has good elbows on the ground. Very good elbows. He can grapple, submit, take the back.

“I’d say it’s 80%-20% in Arman’s favor. His wrestling, his pressure, his physicality. It all matters. He’s taller by 10 centimetres, if I’m not mistaken. He’s heavier, and on fight night, he’ll be the bigger man. And of course, wrestling always plays a huge role, especially fights like this.

“We all know the level of wrestling that Holloway and Charles Oliveira had. It’s practically non-existent. They are strikers. They went forward and got caught. But a guy who [wrestles], Topuria hasn’t faced that. Name at least one of his opponents who uses even 20% wrestling. Not 50%, just 20%.

Khabib Nurmagomedov names the best UFC lightweight he believes beats Ilia Topuria 8 times out of 10

Khabib Nurmagomedov: "I don’t see Topuria having a chance."

bloodyelbow.com

 

[Ara tech]

Arman is for a sure a tougher challenge than Olivera for Ilia.

But I will put Ilia as the favorite. His wrestling would be tested.

 

[Yabadabaev]

the one with abs will win

 

[Mr.Maelstrom]

Khabib likes to tell everyone when there's a new "best 155er in the world" like he's checking in on a old job lol

"Guys you're doing well, you know this. Especially you Arman I see you bratha. I gonna go, guys"

It's kinda gangster and also hilarious to me

 

[Brca031]

Arman would still be asleep if his shorts didnt fall off against Charles.
He got saved by a wardrobe malfunction.

 

[ComeChooDaddy]

Ilia would’ve slept Khabib, too

 

[World eater]

So, Arman is the best, not Islam? Or is Islam now a WW? I mean, Islam took the Arman fight (twice), but not Ilia. If Arman - Ilia is a 80/20 in favour of Arman, then Islam is almost at 100% win chance? Weird he didn’t go for that freebie.

 

[Dionysian]

So, Arman is the best, not Islam? Or is Islam now a WW? I mean, Islam took the Arman fight (twice), but not Ilia. If Arman - Ilia is a 80/20 in favour of Arman, then Islam is almost at 100% win chance? Weird he didn’t go for that freebie.

This is the biggest takeaway (maybe)... is the implication Islam might not be returning.

Or he is just being literal and is saying that solely as of right now, August 2025, Arman is the best LW while Islam is competing against JDM at WW.

 

[fjodor]

Arman struggled with Gamrot and Oliveira. Topuria is way more dominant and is the champ. Topuria is the better Lightweight.

 

[Alpha_T83]

After the Khamzat performance, especially with Arman being the one urging him to blanket DDP, I think Arman will never get a title shot as long as Topuria is champion.

But Topuria is a warrior. If Arman wins a big fight with a good performance, I could see Topuria call him out anyway.

 

[YourBoss]

great take. almost as good as his advice for khamzat to strike with DDP instead of wrestling.

 

[Alpha_T83]

Arman struggled with Gamrot and Oliveira. Topuria is way more dominant and is the champ. Topuria is the better Lightweight.

MMA math doesn't work and styles make fights. Arman could easily blanket Topuria, if he goes in with the same strategy as Khamzat.

And I guarantee you the same cucks on these forums that defended Khamzat will crucify Arman (pun intended), if he does indeed blanket Topuria.

 

[Dark C3PO]

MMA math doesn't work and styles make fights. Arman could easily blanket Topuria, if he goes in with the same strategy as Khamzat.

And I guarantee you the same cucks on these forums that defended Khamzat will crucify Arman (pun intended), if he does indeed blanket Topuria.

Ilia is a far better wrestler than the Armenian.

44 days

 

[Alpha_T83]

Ilia is a far better wrestler than the Armenian.

44 days

Not sure I agree, but I'll admit Topuria's performances are incredibly impressive. Hopefully he doesn't take 8+ months off between fights again, but it's starting to look like that.

 

[Ramon Antonio]

Double champ vs. guy who couldn't even make it to his title fight.. Khabib hating on Illia.

 

[Koala]

Nurmagomedov knows he should not piss off the Tsarukyans

 

[AL-Tappo McSnappo]

He has Arman as the favourite over Ilia in a potential fight.

“Arman fights too well at range against strikers. He keeps the distance well, works better with his kicks. And now Arman has improved a lot. He has footage that he can study and analyse. If they fought three years ago, maybe he wouldn’t have been as cautious. But now, you can clearly see what dangers Topuria brings.

“I believe right now, the best lightweight is Tsarukyan. Arman can take people down, he has good elbows on the ground. Very good elbows. He can grapple, submit, take the back.

“I’d say it’s 80%-20% in Arman’s favor. His wrestling, his pressure, his physicality. It all matters. He’s taller by 10 centimetres, if I’m not mistaken. He’s heavier, and on fight night, he’ll be the bigger man. And of course, wrestling always plays a huge role, especially fights like this.

“We all know the level of wrestling that Holloway and Charles Oliveira had. It’s practically non-existent. They are strikers. They went forward and got caught. But a guy who [wrestles], Topuria hasn’t faced that. Name at least one of his opponents who uses even 20% wrestling. Not 50%, just 20%.

Khabib Nurmagomedov names the best UFC lightweight he believes beats Ilia Topuria 8 times out of 10

Khabib Nurmagomedov: "I don’t see Topuria having a chance."

bloodyelbow.com

100% true, Arman is the best.

 

[fizzlehiss]

I mean of course he will say this, he is not exactly unbiased.

 

[balkanbomber85]

Dude is biased, same as his "friendly advise" to Kamzat to stand and bang with DDP....

Its in their interest that Ilia loses the belt, that Arman (who Islame beat already) wins the belt, so that they could say that Islame is still the nr1 LW.

 

[HuskySamoan]

Arman is clearly the boogieman at 155. The one in his prime, he arguably beat Gamrot and his decision loss to Islam was shockingly competitive for a 22 year old taking the fight on 2 weeks notice. Ilia has not had his wrestling tested in MMA besides Bryce Mitchell who was able to take him down. Love Ilia all you want, this should be the fight to make. Not washed up Gaethje or Pimblett. Probably the fight Ilia will try the hardest to avoid too.