Tension is starting to build between Ilia Topuria and Arman Tsarukyan.
This Saturday, Topuria faces off with Charles Oliveira for the vacant lightweight title in the main event of UFC 317, with Tsarukyan serving as the bout’s official backup fighter. But speaking with New York Post Sports on Tuesday, Topuria suggested this was a mistake for Tsarukyan.
“That’s a bad decision for him,” Topuria said about Tsarukyan being the backup fighter at UFC 317. “I don’t know why he accepted, because you can’t come here as a backup fighter. I don’t know how did he train for this fight? If something happens to anyone, even to me, — think that there’s no possibility that something could happen with me, but who knows? No on knows what’s going to happen tomorrow. Even with Charles he would struggle a lot. And with me? He has no chances. No chances. First round. First minutes of the fight. What’s he going to do? Go for the takedowns. Bro, come on.”
Tsaruykan is currently riding a four-fight winning streak at lightweight, including a split decision win over Oliveira at UFC 300. He was supposed to rematch Islam Makhachev for the lightweight title at UFC 311 in January, but withdrew from the bout the day before due to issues during his weight cut. As a result, UFC CEO Dana White said Tsarukyan would need to earn his title shot back, and Topuria agrees.
“I wouldn’t give him the chance immediately,” Topuria said. “He needs to win one more fight. He had the opportunity to fight for the title, he pulled out. I don’t know for what reasons but he pulled out, so he needs to win his shot again, against, I don’t know. Someone. There’s Justin Gaethje, Paddy Pimblett, many guys in the division that also deserve the shot. So they need to fight between each other.”
Unsurprisingly, Tsarukyan does not agree. Responding to Topuria’s comments, he issued his own warning to his fellow Georgian-born fighter.
You better pray nothing happens to Charles, because I’m the worst possible matchup for you in this division. There’s a reason you’re fighting the guy I already beat, and not me, for that belt. https://t.co/qXS0lImDya
— Arman Tsarukyan UFC (@ArmanUfc) June 24, 2025
“You better pray nothing happens to Charles, because I’m the worst possible matchup for you in this division. There’s a reason you’re fighting the guy I already beat, and not me, for that belt.”
UFC 317 takes place this Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
