Newly-crowned lightweight champion, Ilia Topuria, is refusing to face No. 1-ranked contender, Arman Tsarukyan, and claims he would rather vacate the 155-pound title than fight “Ahalkalakets.”
Not surprisingly, his history of “saying no to everyone” is drawing comparisons to former heavyweight champion Jon Jones, who gave up his 265-pound strap to avoid fighting then-interim champion, Tom Aspinall.
“Is Ilia Topuria pulling a Jon Jones? Because Arman Tsarukyan is a real threat to anybody, he is a tremendous fighter,” former UFC champion, Michael Bisping, said on YouTube. “I know a lot of people discredit him for pulling out at the last minute, and rightly so, that’s not a good look. However, he’s a really, really good fighter, simple as that. He can do it all. He’s got the striking, the wrestling, the cardio, the strength. He’s very young, he’s in his prime. The man’s an absolute monster. Ilia Topuria said if the UFC made him fight Arman Tsarukyan, he would vacate the belt.”
Tsarukyan (22-3) squandered his most recent title shot by withdrawing from UFC 311 at the last-minute. Also campaigning to fight Topuria are lightweight contenders Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett, though matchmakers have yet to lock down an official opponent.
“He wants nothing to do with Arman Tsarukyan,” Bisping continued. “So now Arman Tsarukyan’s out there, he’s making videos of little ducks. He’s doing a Tom Aspinall, taking a duck wherever he went with him. Remember that whole saga with Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall? But now we’ve got a new version. Now it’s Ilia Topuria and Arman Tsarukyan. Arman Tsarukyan’s even making a bet, offering him $500,000, half a million bucks if he beats him. Doing whatever he can to get the fight.”
Topuria (17-0) may be using his disinterest to drive up his asking price or simply play mind games with Tsarukyan. But the public perception is that “El Matador” is ducking his toughest challenge — and that inmates are running the asylum.
“You could say that Ilia’s only doing this to get under the skin of Arman Tsarukyan, but it’s not a good look,” Bisping added. “If you’re the champion — just like when Jon Jones was the champion — if you’re the champion, you’ve got to fight the interim champ if there is one. If you’re the champion, you’re supposed to fight the No. 1 guy, simple as that. Arman Tsarukyan is ranked No. 1. Whether he likes it, Ilia likes, anyone likes it. If you want to do it on a merit-based system, Arman Tsarukyan is the guy.”
Hopefully UFC can get something booked in the next few weeks.
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