UFC lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan fired back at champion Ilia Topuria after a tense exchange between the two fighters, questioning the legitimacy of Topuria’s stated reason for taking a break from competition. Topuria, who has not defended his title recently, reportedly cited “family issues” as the reason for stepping away from the Octagon, but Tsarukyan wasn’t convinced by that explanation.
In a public response shared on social media, Tsarukyan directly challenged Topuria’s claim that he was focusing on personal matters. He pointed out that the champion seems to have plenty of time for interviews and other media appearances despite his declared hiatus. Tsarukyan wrote, “You talking about taking time off from fighting to fix your family issues, but it looks like you have plenty of free time for all these interviews. You’re a joke,” adding a mocking nickname aimed at the champion.
The comment stemmed from a recent interview that Topuria gave, which included his thoughts on the current state of the lightweight division and his absence from the fight schedule. Topuria’s hiatus has led the UFC to book an interim title fight between other top contenders while he remains inactive.
Tsarukyan, who has long been viewed as one of the top contenders in the lightweight division, has also openly expressed frustration with the UFC’s matchmaking decisions. He believes his own position as a number one contender should merit a title shot, especially given his recent performances inside the Octagon.
Fans and analysts have weighed in on the situation, with some agreeing that Topuria’s public media presence doesn’t align with the narrative of him needing to step away for serious personal matters. Others argue that high-level fighters often balance media obligations even while dealing with off-camera issues.
The back-and-forth highlights the increasingly heated tension between the two fighters, further intensifying the anticipation for a potential showdown when Topuria eventually returns to competition. Tsarukyan’s blunt reaction underscores the competitive nature of the lightweight division as fighters jockey for title opportunities and clarity on the championship landscape.