Khabib Nurmaomgedov doesn’t imagine Ilia Topuria can beat Arman Tsarukyan.
Firstly of 2025, all of the discuss was about Topuria transferring as much as light-weight to problem Islam Makhachev for the title. As an alternative, Makhachev additionally moved up, leaving Topuria to struggle Charles Oliveira for the vacant belt, knocking him out at UFC 317. Now the query turns to who Topuria will make his first protection in opposition to, and if that finally ends up being Tsarukyan, Nurmagomedov believes it will likely be a brief reign for “El Matador.”
“I don’t see an opportunity for Topuria,” Nurmagomedov instructed Kamil Gadzhiyev (h/t Championship Rounds). “An enormous punch is a [not going to work]. Arman fights with strikers from a distance an excessive amount of. He retains his distance effectively, works higher together with his legs, and now Arman is simply too good. He already has materials he can watch and examine effectively. If three fights in the past he fought with him, perhaps he wouldn’t, however now you’ll be able to already see what to worry from Topuria.
”I feel proper now, the perfect light-weight is [Tsarukyan].”
Nurmagomedov is likely one of the foremost coaches and former coaching companions of Makhachev, and as such, has some expertise with Tsarukyan, who they fought as soon as and have been anticipating to face once more in January at UFC 311 till a last-minute challenge compelled Tsarukyan from the struggle. On condition that data, he explains why he’s so excessive on Tsarukyan’s possibilities in opposition to Topuria.
“Arman can take him down,” Nurmagomedov stated. “He has good elbows on the bottom. Excellent elbows. He can wrestle, armbar, take the again. However he merely received’t struggle at this harmful distance with Topuria. There are too many fights already he can watch, examine. If originally they by some means fought, perhaps he would have an opportunity.”
“I’d say it’s 80-20 in Arman’s favor. … Wrestling has all the time dominated, particularly in such fights. Everyone knows the extent of wrestling that Holloway and Charles Oliveira had. It’s virtually nonexistent. … He’s solely fought strikers. [Alexander] Volkanovski doesn’t wrestle. His different opponents didn’t wrestle. Who did he struggle [that wrestles]? Simply identify at the very least one.”
Sadly for Tsarukyan, he could not get the prospect to show Nurmagomedov proper. Although he’s at the moment the highest contender within the UFC rankings, his points at UFC 311 have Tsarukyan on the skin trying in at a title shot. Whereas nothing is official, it appears names like Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett could also be in entrance of him within the title dialog. However, Nurmagomedov says, they will solely deny him for thus lengthy.
“It will likely be an attention-grabbing struggle,” Nurmagomedov stated. “I do know the UFC is cautious, they don’t wish to throw him to Topuria too rapidly. Proper now, Topuria is an even bigger star than Arman. … But when Arman will get an enormous win, the place can they disguise him? They received’t be capable to.”
Assault. ‘It was dangerous judgement’: Raja Jackson, Rampage Jackson’s son, seems to assault professional wrestler at occasion in video.
Outcomes. Johnny Walker upsets Zhang Mingyang, Aljamain Sterling dominates Brian Ortega at UFC Shanghai.
Nightmare. Aljamain Sterling reveals he confronted a ‘dwelling nightmare’ throughout Brian Ortega struggle at UFC Shanghai.
Superfight. Islam Makhachev open to superfight with Ilia Topuria after preventing Jack Della Maddalena.
Return. ‘Why the f*ck would I’m going again?’: Luke Rockhold skeptical about returning to MMA.
Title shot. Corey Anderson recounts UFC govt telling him why he wasn’t receiving title shot.
Rankings. MMA Pound-for-Pound Rankings: How far does Dricus du Plessis fall after UFC 319 flop?
Highlights. Missed Fists | Energy goes off however struggle goes on throughout Octagon occasion.
Each end from UFC Shanghai.
Johnny Walker finds out he acquired a bonus after upsetting Zhang Mingyang at UFC Shanghai.
Yours really reacting to Raja Jackson story.
Sean O’Malley talks about Contender Sequence.
SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE
“This ain’t MLS cash” is an unbelievable line from Aljo.
Michael Chandler has the shortest golf shorts I’ve ever seen.
Josh Emmett (19-5) vs. Youssef Zalal (17-5-1); UFC 320, Oct. 4.
Good on Johnny Walker for the massive win, and horrible on Raja Jackson for what appears to be one of many extra despicable issues of the yr. No UFC occasion this week so buckle up for some sizzling Misfits motion.
If you happen to discover one thing you’d prefer to see within the Morning Report, hit up @AlexanderKlee or @JedKMeshew on Twitter and tell us about it. Additionally, comply with MMAFighting on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and like us on Fb.
16 Feedback
