Arman Tsarukyan Demands Title Shot, Will Only Fight Topuria or McGregor Next

Fresh off his dominant submission victory over Dan Hooker, Arman Tsarukyan is demanding an immediate title shot against champion Ilia Topuria, intensifying a rivalry marked by personal jabs and social media warfare. The number one contender has made it clear he won’t accept any other fights except a potential money fight with Conor McGregor, putting pressure on the UFC to capitalise on the escalating animosity between two of the lightweight division’s top fighters.

Tsarukyan’s Title Shot Ultimatum

Following his impressive second-round submission victory at UFC Qatar, Arman Tsarukyan has drawn a line in the sand regarding his next move. The Armenian fighter explicitly stated he will not compete again unless it’s for the championship against Ilia Topuria or in a lucrative bout with Conor McGregor. This hardline stance creates a compelling dilemma for UFC matchmakers as they navigate the lightweight title picture.

“I’m not fighting anyone else unless it’s for the title or against McGregor,” Tsarukyan declared, recognising the commercial appeal of a McGregor matchup while maintaining his primary focus on the championship. His victory over Hooker, which extended his winning streak to five fights, has strengthened his position as the division’s undeniable number one contender.

Social Media Warfare Escalates

The rivalry between Tsarukyan and Topuria has taken a personal turn, with both fighters exchanging barbs across social media platforms. Tsarukyan recently questioned the authenticity of Topuria’s lavish lifestyle, specifically mocking the champion’s use of private jets without ownership. “How can you fly private if you don’t own the jet?” Tsarukyan quipped during an interview with Ariel Helwani, attempting to undermine Topuria’s public persona.

😅✈️ Arman Tsarukyan doesn’t believe Ilia Topuria owns a private jet because it costs $20 million:

“I’m not rich like Ilia Topuria, flying on private jets always.

You’re supposed to have jet, not fake. He did like fake carpet with his name or last name. How you can put your… pic.twitter.com/KQE6pIuvZD

— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) November 25, 2025

These personal attacks have added fuel to an already combustible situation, generating significant fan interest in a potential matchup. The ongoing digital confrontation has effectively built natural hype for a fight that many believe should happen based on sporting merit alone.

Topuria’s Reluctance Fuels Fire

Despite Tsarukyan’s persistent callouts, Ilia Topuria has shown little interest in defending his title against the number one contender. The champion has instead expressed a preference for either moving up to challenge welterweight king Islam Makhachev or facing popular star Paddy Pimblett in a commercially appealing matchup.

This reluctance has only strengthened Tsarukyan’s position in the court of public opinion, with many fans and analysts arguing that a true champion should face the most deserving challenger. The situation echoes historical UFC controversies where champions have attempted to bypass top contenders for more favourable matchups.

UFC’s Promotional Dilemma

The promotion now faces a classic conflict between sporting integrity and business considerations. Tsarukyan represents the legitimate sporting challenge as the clear number one contender, while Topuria’s preferred alternatives offer potentially greater financial returns. However, the escalating personal rivalry between the two fighters has created its own commercial appeal that the UFC may find difficult to ignore.

With both fighters now deeply engaged in a public feud, the organisation may have little choice but to book the matchup to capitalise on the natural storyline. The winner would emerge with undeniable legitimacy as the lightweight division’s true champion, settling both the title picture and personal rivalry simultaneously.

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