Shock! Arman Tsarukyan Exposes Ilia Topuria’s ‘Duck Game Plan’ – Is UFC Manipulating The Fans?

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In the world of MMA, rivalries don’t just play out inside the Octagon—they often begin with bold words, sharp accusations, and fiery press statements. Recently, Arman Tsarukyan, the No. 2 lightweight contender, dropped a bombshell by claiming that Ilia Topuria, the reigning UFC featherweight champion who has expressed ambitions across multiple weight classes, is plotting to avoid real danger.

Tsarukyan didn’t mince his words. He openly suggested that Topuria would rather take the “business-friendly” route—choosing fighters who bring commercial appeal instead of those who bring genuine competitive risk. According to him, Topuria may select Paddy Pimblett, the fan-favorite from England, over elite fighters like Justin Gaethje or Tsarukyan himself.

This revelation has stirred up heated debate across the MMA community: Is Topuria really ducking tougher competition? Or is UFC itself pulling the strings, manipulating matchups for maximum profit?

Let’s dive deep into this drama, breaking down Tsarukyan’s claims, Topuria’s ambitions, UFC’s business motives, and what it all means for the future of the sport.

Who Is Arman Tsarukyan?

Arman Tsarukyan is not just another fighter waiting for his shot. At only 27 years old, he has climbed the lightweight ranks with precision, toughness, and relentless pressure. Currently sitting at the No. 2 spot in the division, he has become one of the most feared rising stars in UFC.

Nationality: Armenian-Russian
Weight Class: Lightweight (155 lbs)
Fight Style: Pressure wrestling, explosive striking, high cardio
Record Highlights: Wins over elite names, consistently pushing top competition

For Tsarukyan, every fight is not just about winning but about proving that he belongs in the conversation with the elite. His hunger is palpable. But despite his ranking and skill set, he feels UFC and champions like Topuria may look past him—not because he isn’t worthy, but because he’s too dangerous.

Who Is Ilia Topuria?

On the other side of the story, we have Ilia Topuria, a sensation in UFC. Known as “El Matador,” Topuria rose quickly to become a fan-favorite and eventually captured UFC gold.

Nationality: Georgian-Spanish
Weight Class: Featherweight (145 lbs), with ambitions at lightweight and potentially welterweight
Fight Style: Deadly striking, knockout power, underrated grappling
Star Power: Large fan base in Spain, Georgia, and Latin America

What makes Topuria unique isn’t just his skill—it’s his marketability. He’s charismatic, confident, and has the aura of someone UFC can build into a global superstar. Add to that his bold statements about becoming a multi-division champion, and you have a fighter with not just athletic ambitions, but brand power.

The Controversial Claim: “Topuria Will Duck Me”

Arman Tsarukyan’s statement was direct and provocative:

“Topuria is going to avoid me. He’s going to take easier fights, fights that are more profitable commercially but less risky competitively.”

This is where the drama begins. In Tsarukyan’s eyes, UFC and Topuria are plotting a path that maximizes hype while minimizing danger. He predicts that Topuria will target Paddy Pimblett—a fighter with a huge UK fan base but not nearly the same threat level as Justin Gaethje or Tsarukyan himself.

This accusation paints a picture of UFC as a promotion willing to prioritize business over competition. And in the eyes of hardcore MMA fans, that’s a dangerous accusation.

Why Paddy Pimblett Instead of Justin Gaethje or Tsarukyan?

To understand Tsarukyan’s frustration, you have to look at the options:

Justin Gaethje: A warrior, former interim champ, known for brutal wars. Facing him would be a legacy fight for Topuria but comes with serious risk.
Arman Tsarukyan: Ranked No. 2, hungry, well-rounded, and stylistically a nightmare for anyone. Facing him could derail Topuria’s triple-champ ambitions.
Paddy Pimblett: A fan magnet, especially in the UK. Charismatic, popular, and a guaranteed PPV draw. But in terms of skill level, many experts believe Pimblett is not at the same tier as Tsarukyan or Gaethje.

From a purely business standpoint, Pimblett is the easiest and most profitable fight. From a competitive standpoint, he is the least risky. That’s why Tsarukyan is crying foul.

The Business Side of UFC: Commercial Appeal vs. Competition Integrity

To really grasp the situation, you need to understand UFC’s dual nature: it’s both a sport and an entertainment business.

Commercial Appeal: UFC thrives on marketable stars, big personalities, and fights that sell pay-per-views (PPVs). Fighters like Conor McGregor, Sean O’Malley, and Paddy Pimblett prove that charisma sometimes outweighs ranking.
Competition Integrity: Hardcore fans and fighters themselves value meritocracy—title shots based on rankings, performance, and skill.

The tension between these two forces is at the heart of Tsarukyan’s accusation. If UFC favors Topuria vs. Pimblett over Topuria vs. Tsarukyan, it signals that money beats merit.

Strengths of Tsarukyan’s Argument

Clear Understanding of UFC Business Logic
Tsarukyan correctly identifies that UFC often prioritizes commercial fights. This makes his warning plausible.
Realistic Prediction
Topuria choosing Pimblett first is not far-fetched. UFC has a history of building stars by giving them fan-friendly matchups.
Confidence in His Own Worth
By calling out the issue, Tsarukyan reinforces his position as the “unavoidable contender.”

Weaknesses of His Assumption

It’s Still Speculation
Tsarukyan assumes Topuria will duck him, but there’s no official confirmation.
Topuria May Surprise Everyone
If Topuria chooses Gaethje or Tsarukyan, it completely flips the narrative and makes Tsarukyan’s accusations look premature.
Risk of Being Overlooked
By waiting too long for the “big fight,” Tsarukyan risks losing momentum if UFC books Topuria differently.

What If Topuria Actually Faces Tsarukyan?

Imagine UFC books Topuria vs. Tsarukyan.

For Topuria: This would be his chance to silence critics and prove he doesn’t duck anyone.
For Tsarukyan: This is the golden ticket to championship glory and validation.
For UFC: This could turn into one of the most competitive and respected matchups in years.

If Topuria wins, his triple-champion dream gains credibility. If Tsarukyan wins, UFC gets a fresh, marketable champion with legitimacy.

Topuria’s Triple-Champion Dream: Islam Makhachev in the Crosshairs

One of the most shocking parts of Tsarukyan’s prediction is that Topuria isn’t just thinking about featherweight or lightweight—he’s thinking about Islam Makhachev.

Beating Pimblett at lightweight could allow Topuria to challenge Makhachev at lightweight or even push for a future welterweight run. The idea of becoming a three-division champion is historic. Only a few fighters have even dreamed about it.

But to get there, Topuria may need to avoid high-risk fights like Tsarukyan in the short term.

How UFC Storytelling Shapes Fights

Here’s the real question: Is UFC manipulating fans?

Narrative Control: UFC often builds stories that maximize excitement. “Pimblett vs. Topuria” sells as a blockbuster.
Selective Matchmaking: Sometimes deserving contenders are ignored for more marketable names.
Fan Reaction: Hardcore fans criticize UFC for “protecting” stars, while casual fans often buy into the hype.

Tsarukyan’s accusation shines a light on this duality: UFC is not just sport—it’s scripted storytelling with real punches.

Predictions: Will UFC Risk It All or Play It Safe?

If UFC Plays It Safe: Topuria vs. Pimblett happens first. It makes money but risks backlash from hardcore fans.
If UFC Risks It All: Topuria faces Gaethje or Tsarukyan, silencing critics but risking the champion’s marketability.
Wildcard: UFC could surprise everyone with a cross-division mega fight, perhaps pushing Topuria vs. Makhachev sooner.

Conclusion: The Battle for Legacy vs. the Business of MMA

Arman Tsarukyan’s accusations against Ilia Topuria have ignited a debate that cuts to the very heart of MMA. Is UFC prioritizing the purity of competition or the pull of profits?

For Tsarukyan, the message is clear: he’s ready, he’s waiting, and he won’t let UFC or Topuria sidestep him without a fight. For Topuria, the challenge is equally clear: if he truly wants to be remembered as one of the greatest, he cannot afford to let accusations of “ducking” define his reign.

And for the fans? The real question lingers: Are we being entertained, or are we being manipulated?

Only time will tell whether UFC delivers the fights fans deserve—or the fights that simply sell the most tickets.

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