The intricate mechanisms of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) frequently require the confluence of sheer athletic talent and high-stakes narrative to produce true marquee events. According to analysis delivered by former two-division champion Daniel Cormier, the stage is already set for an inescapable collision between the reigning Featherweight champion, Ilia Topuria, and the consensus top contender in the Lightweight division, Arman Tsarukyan.
Cormier`s projection is not simply speculative matchmaking; it is a technical assessment of divisional trajectories. The underlying premise is that these two fighters represent the immediate, dynamic future of mixed martial arts, irrespective of their current weight class placements.
The Technical Case for Arman Tsarukyan’s Dominance
Cormier’s commentary focuses heavily on Arman Tsarukyan, positioning him as the potential king of the 155-pound division once Islam Makhachev concludes his current reign—or, as Cormier put it, after Islam’s “departure” from active dominance. This appraisal is rooted in the measurable physical metrics and unrelenting pace Tsarukyan has demonstrated.
“Arman does everything necessary to stay in shape. This guy is possibly the best lightweight in the world after Islam’s departure. He is really good. He is big, strong, and physically developed.”
Tsarukyan’s technical profile presents a significant challenge to the lightweight hierarchy. His wrestling is elite, his striking is increasingly sharp, and crucially, his physical conditioning allows him to maintain a high output across five rounds. In a division historically defined by technical grapplers and powerful strikers (like Justin Gaethje and the departed Khabib Nurmagomedov), Tsarukyan offers a rare blend of both size and skill precision, making him a legitimate threat to any current title holder.
Ilia Topuria: The Magnet for Momentum
While Tsarukyan solidifies his position at Lightweight, Ilia Topuria operates as the new force at Featherweight (145 lbs). Topuria, an undefeated champion known for his devastating power and calculated aggression, is often lauded for the type of star quality that transcends divisions. His victory over Alexander Volkanovski cemented his status as a bona fide superstar capable of attracting major crossover attention.
However, the gravitational pull toward the Lightweight division is powerful. For a fighter like Topuria, who has openly spoken about aspirations for multi-division championships, the most compelling opponent is often the most technically viable one. Cormier sees both Topuria and Tsarukyan as representing the pinnacle of raw skill in the sport today.
The Narrative Necessity: Beyond Skillset
In the modern UFC landscape, technical merit often takes a backseat to marketable drama. Cormier astutely identified that the fight between Topuria and Tsarukyan possesses not only extraordinary skill matching but also the critical element required for massive commercial success: “relationships.”
The term “relationships” is, perhaps, a delicate way of saying animosity, tension, or a compelling personal dynamic. The UFC thrives on rivalries built on genuine friction, or, failing that, effectively marketed perceived friction. Both fighters hail from regions with intense martial arts traditions and, importantly, both are ascending rapidly at similar points in time. This parallel trajectory breeds natural competition and, often, a healthy dose of antagonism that fight promoters can leverage to astronomical effect.
Cormier’s analysis suggests that while established stars like Justin Gaethje and rising figures like Paddy Pimblett are “amazing,” the dynamic between Tsarukyan and Topuria possesses something uniquely “special.” It is a rivalry that writes itself, a clash of similar ambitions from two highly dangerous, undefeated-or-near-undefeated competitors.
Current Turbulence and the Path Forward
The immediate realization of this predicted mega-fight is currently impeded by external factors affecting the champion. Topuria recently faced a necessary, albeit indefinite, postponement of his scheduled title defense due to unresolved allegations related to domestic issues.
This turbulence, while regrettable, does not diminish the long-term inevitability of the match-up. If Topuria resolves his current issues and successfully defends his 145-pound title, the logical next step for maximum impact is a challenge at 155 pounds. Should Tsarukyan secure the Lightweight title shot and, crucially, dethrone Makhachev (or capitalize on a vacant title), the subsequent cross-divisional superfight would instantly become one of the most significant events in UFC history.
The data points are clear: two of the most technically proficient, physically powerful, and commercially viable athletes are climbing adjacent division ladders. Cormier`s assertion is less a guess and more a mathematical certainty derived from observing promotional strategy and athletic talent convergence. Sooner or later, the UFC will be compelled to book the fight. The collision is simply a matter of divisional physics.
