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Top-ranked Lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan has no problems with Featherweight champion Ilia Topuria potentially joining 155-pound ranks.
Tsarukyan is just eight days away from his rematch with Islam Makhachev at UFC 311, which will take place next Saturday from a location yet to be determined. The 28-year-old wrestler has a real chance at becoming UFC champion and making the Lightweight division his own, and as such, he would welcome another popular name like Topuria.
“He should move to 155 because he has a big name,” Tsarukyan told MMA Junkie. “As much as we have big names in our division, it’s better for us. We’re going to make more money, and our weight class is going to be famous. It’s still famous – 155 is one of the best, in my opinion, has one of the best fighters because of Conor (McGregor), Khabib (Nurmagomedov), Islam, (Dustin) Poirier, (Justin) Gaethje – there’s so many big names. If Ilia move to 155, it’s going to be good for us.”
As of now, Topuria’s immediate future remains unclear. Not long ago, his coach and the man himself sounded fairly adamant that he was done with 145-pounds and ready to move up. Those talks have since been walked back, and he’s somewhat expected to rematch Alexander Volkanovski later this year. At the same time, no contract has been signed, so it’s all very much up in the air moving forward.
Interestingly, Topuria may actually show up at UFC 311 to corner Merab Dvalishvili. If so, he’ll be in attendance for the Lightweight title fight as a very interested party.
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