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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.
Insomnia
Welterweight banger alert!
Daniel Cormier’s uppercut has felled heavyweights, so it’s no surprise that a Lightweight suffered health consequences after taking one.
Former UFC champ Daniel Cormier concussed Usman Nurmagomedov’s sparring partner Amru Magomedov with an uppercut when they sparred during Usman’s camp for Shabliy. Amru had headaches, couldn’t train for 1.5 months and did IV therapy. Usman wants DC to pay Amru 1.5 months of lost… pic.twitter.com/pyVxGkAdZd
— PAM (@ParamPam1990) January 10, 2025
My expectations for Global Fight League cannot get much lower. Maybe they’ll hold as many shows as Affliction …
Official GFL Weight Classes: Prioritizing Athlete Health and Wellness
The GFL is committed to reducing extreme weight-cutting by increasing weight class limits, ensuring athletes maintain optimal health and peak performance while minimizing injuries. This approach helps fighters… pic.twitter.com/Jw1GuF5ESL
— Global Fight League (@mmagfl) January 10, 2025
How much would a foreign billionaire pay for Hasbulla vs. Conor McGregor?
Hasbullah talks about his beef with Conor McGregor:
“If we crossed paths, I would kick him in the legs… I’m a man. Why should I run from him?”
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) January 10, 2025
When it works, tripping out the base leg is a really low energy way to maintain control and top position.
Good show of respect between future foes Nathaniel Wood and Morgan Charreire.
Anyone reading make money on any of these upsets?
I’m a fan of any pro fighter who loses their first fight or two then goes on to still do great things.
Back in 2014, Merab Dvalishvili retired from MMA after his second professional loss, believing he wouldn’t make it to the UFC:
“At that time, I was thinking, ‘If I lost here, in Ring of Combat, I was 1-2… How am I gonna win in the UFC?’ But I said, ‘Win or lose, I’ll keep… pic.twitter.com/FdSWVkjn2N
— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) January 2, 2025
Slips, rips, and KO clips
Going for a leg lock backfires, example #1325.
It’s insane to remember that this finish did NOT earn Chris Curtis a UFC spot.
I love a highlight clip with context.
Random Land
New combat sport just dropped.
Midnight Music: Funk, 1973
Sleep well Maniacs! More martial arts madness is always on the way.
