Arman Tsarukyan picks surprising name for Ilia Topuria’s next opponent

Arman Tsarukyan has suggested that Ilia Topuria's next opponent should be Michael Chandler, viewing the veteran lightweight as an ideal tune-up fight for the former featherweight champion as he works his way back toward title contention.

Topuria's path forward remains unclear after suffering his first professional loss to Justin Gaethje at UFC White House in June, a shocking upset that also left him nursing significant facial injuries. Prior to that defeat, Topuria had compiled an undefeated 17-0 record and captured the featherweight title with consecutive knockout victories over Charles Oliveira, Max Holloway, and Alexander Volkanovski—an remarkable run that ranks among the best title runs in modern MMA.

In an interview on the UFC on Paramount+ YouTube channel, Tsarukyan stated that Topuria needs "an easy fight" against someone like Chandler before re-entering the title picture at 155 pounds. "After this fight, he needs someone easy, an easy fight, and then after that fight come and fight again," Tsarukyan explained.

Meanwhile, Tsarukyan himself is focused on his own title aspirations. He faces Mauricio Ruffy in a pivotal lightweight contender bout at UFC 331 on September 19 in Los Angeles. The co-main event winner is expected to challenge Gaethje for the lightweight title, and Tsarukyan appears confident in his positioning. "Already No. 1 contender," he said when asked about the stakes.

Tsarukyan and Topuria have a long-standing rivalry, and while a bout between them has never materialized despite both now competing at lightweight, Tsarukyan suggested a future championship clash is possible. "When I beat Ruffy, I'm going to fight for the title and then I can pick who I want to fight," he said, hinting that Topuria could be among his options as champion.