Arman Tsarukyan believes Ilia Topuria may skip a potential lightweight clash with him if things go right at UFC White House.
Topuria is scheduled to face Justin Gaethje in the main event of UFC White House, and Tsarukyan says the featherweight champion has his eye on a different prize if he wins. "If UFC let’s him move up, he’s going to move up," Tsarukyan said at his RAF 9 post-fight scrum, referring to a jump to 170 pounds to challenge welterweight champion Islam Makhachev.
For Tsarukyan, that move would make business sense for Topuria. "It’s better to fight with Islam than me. Because it’s a third title, big money, and if he loses to Islam, it’s OK. He moved up to a weight class and lose to pound-for-pound [king]. But if he loses to me at 155, he’s gonna be gone."
Tsarukyan said he is now simply waiting on the outcome of UFC White House before learning his own next assignment. "I’m waiting for the White House card," he said. "When they’re going to fight, and then they’re going to announce my next fight. Probably September, October, or the end of this year. Depends who is going to win. If it’s Ilia, probably end of this year. If it’s Gaethje, probably September, October."
The lightweight contender also weighed in on the matchup itself. "I think Ilia Topuria, but Justin, he’s an OG," Tsarukyan said, adding, "Like, 60-40 [Topuria]." He also noted the buzz around a potential showdown with Topuria: "Everybody wants to see me vs. Ilia. Everybody is excited for that fight. Even me."
