Bad Blow is brewing between UFC 317 Headliner Ilia Topuria and Back -up Arman Tsarukyan.
If something happens to Charles Oliveira this week prior to UFC 317, Arman Tsarukyan is ready to silence Ilia Topuria in the Octagon for the empty lightweight title.
Topuria and Oliveira will make this Saturday in Las Vegas UFC 317 headline for the empty lightweight belt of the UFC. Tsarukyan will serve as a backup of the most important event if something happens with both headlining hunter.
Tsarukyan is enthusiastic about another lightweight title shot after taking hours at UFC 311. His acceptance of the UFC 317 -back -uprol shows how serious he is to come back in the lightweight title interview.
Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty images
Arman Tsarukyan Slams Ilia Topuria for questioning his acceptance of UFC 317 Backup
But according to Topuria, he believes that Tsarukyan makes a huge mistake to integrate himself in UFC 317 Fight Week.
During a recent interview with New York Post Sports, Topuria Tsarukyan earned to accept the UFC 317 -Back -up hunter role.
“That's a bad decision for him,” Topuria said about Tsarukyan.
“I don't know why he accepted it, because you can't get a back -up hunter here. I don't know how he trained for this fight? If something happens to me, even with me, – think there is no possibility that something could happen to me, but who knows?
“Nobody knows what will happen tomorrow,” Topuria continued. “Even with Charles he would struggle a lot. And with me he has no opportunities. No chances. First round. First minutes of the fight. What is he going to do for the Takedowns. Bro, come on.” (H/T MMA Fighting)
It was not long before Tsarukyan had knowledge of Topuria's comments, while he responded in a recent X post.
“You better pray that nothing happens to Charles, because I am the worst possible matchup for you in this division,” Tsarukyan posted. “There is a reason why you are fighting the man I have already defeated, and not me, for that belt.”
Tsarukyan has not fought anymore since he defeated Oliveira at UFC 300 last year. He was supposed to prevent Islam Makhachev on UFC 311 before a final second back injury forced him off the map.
UFC CEO Dana White and the rest of the promotion want Tsarukyan to win at least another fight before he makes another title shot. Matchups with Paddy Pimblett and Justin Gaethje are in the mix for the next Tsarukyan game, if his services are not required this weekend.
Ilia Topuria can get an old rival with a win over UFC 317
If Topuria wins the victory over UFC 317, he can call an old opponent for his first lightweight title defense.
Topuria and Pimblett have been on each other's nerves for years from their 2022 Fighter Hotel BraWl. Pimblett defeated Michael Chandler on UFC 314 to cement himself as an emerging competition in the lightweight division.
But Topuria wants Pimblett to beat another top candidate before they arrange their unfinished things. He suggested that Pimblett was confronted with the 'easiest' challenge in the lightweight division, Gaethje, in a potential no. 1 competition fight.