Arman Tsarukyan Shuts Down Narrative of Islam Makhachev Ducking Ilia Topuria

Arman Tsarukyan doesn’t agree with people saying Islam Makhachev moved up to avoid fighting Ilia Topuria:

“[Jack] is going to be a tough fight too. Maddalena would be harder for Islam than the Topuria fight.”

Advertisement

🎥 @babadzhanov07 #UFC #MMA pic.twitter.com/XJZMjNmJzM— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) June 1, 2025

Arman Tsarukyan doesn’t think Islam Makhachev moved up to avoid Ilia Topuria.

Topuria vacated his featherweight strap in quest of a lightweight title shot against Makhachev. However, Makhachev was unwilling to fight the Georgian-Spaniard until he had proven himself at 155 pounds. That opportunity never arose, as Makhachev subsequently vacated his title for a welterweight gold bid against newly-crowned champ Jack Della Maddalena. 

While Topuria will now fight Charles Oliveira for the vacant lightweight title at UFC 317 on June 28, Dana White has confirmed that Makhachev will fight Maddalena in the near future.Tsarukyan believes Makhachev will open as a favorite against Maddalena.

“I see Islam as the favorite [against Maddalena]… Because of wrestling, control, chokes,” Tsarukyan told media following a grappling event in Russia. “Islam, I think he has a much better wrestling game and can easily [take him down].”

While a move up in weight is usually considered the more difficult move, some still argue that Topuria would have been a harder fight for Makhachev than Maddalena. However, Tsarukyan disagrees. Tsarukyan considers Maddalena a more technically sound boxer than “La Leyenda.” Tsarukyan is sure the Australian will be a tougher matchup than Topuria for Makhachev.  

“Maddalena has got good boxing too. So [the best boxer] is either Topuria or Maddalena. But I even liked Maddalena better,” Tsarukyan said. “Topuria just hits harder and takes more punches. But Maddalena is technically better exactly if to speak striking wise…I don’t agree [Topuria is a tougher fight than Maddalena]. [Maddalena] is going to be a tough fight too. Maddalena would be harder fight for Islam than Topuria fight.”

“Ahalkalkets” was scheduled to challenge Makhachev for the lightweight title at UFC 311 last year before pulling out due to an injury a day before the fight. UFC CEO White was not impressed and made it clear that Tsarukyan won’t fight for the title next. Tsarukyan has since picked up victories in grappling matches against Patricky Freire and Makasharip Zaynukov. 

This article first appeared at Recent News on Sherdog.com

Help support MMACrazies.com when you shop Amazon by starting your online Amazon shopping at MMACrazies.com/recommends/amazon. You are not charged extra, but we receive a small and very helpful commission on everything you purchase. Thanks for thinking of us every time you shop at Amazon.