UFC Hall of Famer and commentator Daniel Cormier has praised Arman Tsarukyan . Tsarukyan has been in line to fight for the lightweight title (up to 70,3 kg) since being pulled from his title fight against Islam Makhachev in January 2025, just one day before the event. Regardless, 'DC' considers him "the best lightweight in the world".
Cormier argued that Tsarukyan is truly the toughest challenge awaiting Ilia Topuria and that this fight has to happen at some point to determine the best lightweight fighter on the planet.
"This guy (Tsarukyan) is the best lightweight in the world, ever since Islam (Makhachev) left, he's been really good. He's big, strong, physical. Champion Ilia Topuria is incredible. I think Ilia and Arman are the two best guys in the world. I think they need to fight at some point."
Paddy Pimblett is incredible. Justin Gaethje is incredible. Arman and Ilia seem to have something in common, and not just in terms of skill, but between the two we can build a great fight. I think Arman is fantastic. He's good. He also had a great performance against Dan Hooker ,” Daniel Cormier told 'Red Corner MMA'.
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Arman Tsarukyan remains in line to challenge for the lightweight title.
Arman Tsarukyan was left out of the interim lightweight title fight at UFC 324 on January 24th. Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett will fight for the interim belt, while current champion Ilia Topuria deals with some issues in his personal life.
Arman Tsarukyan is currently ranked number one in the lightweight division and is ranked 15th in the pound-for-pound rankings. Given these impressive numbers, Daniel Cormier expected Tsarukyan to speak out more about being left out of the title contention.
"I don't know why Arman (Tsarukyan) isn't fighting for the title. I really don't know. I heard the reason is what happened in Los Angeles ( UFC 311 ). I thought that by making weight as a reserve when Ilia fought Charles (do Bronx) and then fighting Dan Hooker , everything would be fine. I don't know."
"I don't know what kind of conversations they're having behind closed doors, because they're saying something to him that's making him accept the situation, right? Because if he didn't accept it, he'd be complaining a lot more about not having had the opportunity. I kind of agree that they know more than we do, so we have to accept the situation as it is, because it seems like Arman is doing that too," Cormier told 'Red Corner MMA'.
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