UFC fan favorite Michael Chandler believes that Ilia Topuria has the right to prevent him from fighting Arman Tsarukyan.
UFC Lightweight Champion Ilia Topuria joined the history books of the promotion when he won a second world title last month on UFC 317. Topuria brutally brutally hit the UFC 317 Main Event to close a remarkable turnout to Superstardom in the octagon.
After winning the title, Topuria looks ahead to make his first defense against one of the best lightweight contenders. But Arman Tsarukyan, the number 1 candidate of the division, is not on the Radar of Topuria.
Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC
Michael Chandler can be the side of Ilia Topuria about Arman Tsarukyan's 'Scared' comments
After Topuria, almost a potential Tsarukyan fight closed for his first title defense, the top light weight labeled the new title holder 'Scared' when he accused the pound-for-pound king of diving of a fight. Tsarukyan will probably have to win at least one fight, according to UFC CEO Dana White, to justify another title shot after his shocking UFC 311 excerpt.
But one of the best contenders of the division believes that the story is more behind the reluctance of Topuria to fight against Tsarukyan.
In a recent message from Threads, Michael Chandler explained why he believes that Topuria's refusal to fight against Tsarukyan is then a calculated game.
“Absolutely not afraid … Nobody wants Nothingburger of a fight, especially not the champion,” said Chandler.
“Ilia realizes that we are in attention … Nobody pays attention to that other man.”
Chandler and Tsarukyan have had their own feud in recent years, with accusations of combat dives. Tsarukyan was one of the most vocal critics on the UFC selection of Chandler's insist on waiting for a fight with Conor McGregor.
Tsarukyan has not fought anymore since the beating of Oliveira last year due to a split decision on UFC 300. De Armenian has won four consecutive fights since a controversial defeat against Mateusz Gamrot in June 2022.
Since Topuria seems to be the intention to make an alternative to Tsarukyan for his first lightweight defending defense, there is an opportunity to arrange a long -term beef on the table.
Ilia Topuria's first title defense could come across old opponent
Only a few minutes after beating Oliveira, Topuria faced Paddy Pimblett in the middle of the Octagon while the two enemies promoted a potential collision. Pimblett climbed the lightweight ranking when he finished Chandler at UFC 314 earlier this year.
Topuria and Pimblett have been on each other's nerves for years, coming from their altercation of the hotel 2022. The tensions were not cooled between Topuria and Pimblett in 2025, because the two almost entered a total fight in their heated UFC 317-Faceoff.
Despite the strong fighting promotion of Topuria and Pimblett, White and the matchmakers claimed that it is 'not the fight' to make UFC 317. It is uncertain what the UFC heads have in store for the pound-for-pound king of the UFC, but a potential collision with Pimblett seems inevitable.