Arman Tsarukyan thinks newly crowned UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria wants no part of him.
Topuria (17-0 MMA, 9-0 UFC) captured the 155-pound title by knocking out Charles Oliveira in Saturday’s UFC 317 headliner at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. In attendance were Tsarukyan, Justin Gaethje, and Paddy Pimblett, but it was Pimblett was called on to face off with Topuria in the octagon.
Prior to beating Oliveira, Topuria said that despite Tsarukyan (22-3 MMA, 9-2 UFC) weighing in as the backup, he’d have to win one more fight before getting the title opportunity. “El Matador” took aim at Tsarukyan after his title-winning performance.
“He looked scared,” Topuria told ESPN Deportes of Tsarukyan (h/t Championship Rounds). “He had a look of shock on his face when he saw the knockout. He was like, ‘I was going to be the replacement for this fight, thank God nothing happened to Charles because this could have been me.’ He always makes weight when he knows he’s not going to fight. But when he knows he’s fighting, he tries to make weight and goes, ‘Oh, my back!'”
Tsarukyan fired back.
“Running from the real contender only proves one thing – you’re scared. Deep down, you know exactly what happens if you ever step in there with me @Topuriailia.”
Tsarukyan also took the opportunity to respond to Dan Hooker’s callout.
“On a side note, Dan Hooker is still a b*tch. Just thought that needed to be said.”
