Tsarukyan wants to break Makhachev's record

Arman Tsarukyan wants five lightweight title defenses

If Arman Tsarukyan really does win a title soon, then, according to his own statements, he definitely wants to break Islam Makhachev’s record.

To that end, Arman Tsarukyan is set to face Mauricio Ruffy in a pivotal bout. Reportedly, the winner of this matchup is virtually guaranteed a title shot, which would be a huge deal for both of them. However, Arman Tsarukyan is already considered the top contender by most people anyway, though a dominant performance on September 19 would prove that once and for all.

He was actually supposed to get his title shot against Islam Makhachev in early 2025, but he was pulled from the fight just a few hours before the weigh-in due to an injury. That bout would have been their second meeting, as they had already faced each other in 2019. In that fight, Islam Makhachev won a very close unanimous decision. As a result of that fight, Arman Tsarukyan seems to have lost a great deal of confidence in the UFC, which he’ll have to slowly rebuild. On Paramount+’s “Deep Waters,” Arman Tsarukyan politely declined the idea of moving up to welterweight to face Islam Makhachev. However, he wants to set a new record in the lightweight division.

“Not yet. At least five title defenses. … I want to beat the record in the lightweight division. So Islam had four defenses, so I want to make five and then we’ll see or I retire or go up to 170, because I’ve got to gain weight for 170”

he said.

The only problem is that Justin Gaethje will also be out of action for a while, probably until early 2027, but when he returns, Arman Tsarukyan could actually become the first challenger.