Arman Tsarukyan Questions Ilia Topuria’s Confidence
UFC lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan has expressed his doubts about the confidence Ilia Topuria would show when facing him, compared to the confidence he displayed against Charles Oliveira. Topuria, after his victory at UFC 317, became the tenth two-division champion in UFC history, after knocking out Oliveira in the first round. Topuria’s confidence, at 28 years old, was notable before the fight, going so far as to predict a knockout in the first round and celebrating his victory even before the day of the fight.Tsarukyan, currently ranked number 2 in lightweight, believes that Topuria’s confidence was based on the favorable matchup.He celebrated the day before because he already knew. Oliveira is not going to knock him out, he is not going to take him down. He is not going to outstrike him. He has good grappling, and that’s it. So, how is he going to win? He knew, ‘This is the best fight for me, 99.9 percent I will win this fight’. With me he is not going to be super confident.
Arman Tsarukyan
Although the UFC has not confirmed Topuria’s next opponent, Tsarukyan, with a streak of four consecutive victories, values a victory over Makhachev more than over Topuria, arguing that Topuria’s last three victories were against competitors who, in his opinion, were no longer at their peak.
Topuria has been recognized for one of the best three-fight streaks in UFC history, defeating Alexander Volkanovski, Max Holloway, and Oliveira.Makhachev relinquished the belt earlier this year in anticipation of moving up to welterweight to try and win a second belt.If Topuria were to beat me, he would be at the same level as Islam. He has to beat someone like me, who can fight. He’s only had easy fights in his career. He beat legitimate fighters, but not during their prime. If he had faced Volkanovski five years ago, Volkanovski would have simply destroyed him. Now, Volkanovski is old. He’s not there anymore.
Arman Tsarukyan
