Overview

• In an interview published Aug. 24–25, Nurmagomedov called Tsarukyan the best lightweight and predicted he would beat Topuria eight times out of ten.
• He cited Tsarukyan’s takedowns, ground elbows, distance management, and a perceived size advantage as the decisive factors.
• Topuria holds the lightweight title after a June knockout of Charles Oliveira at UFC 317 and has not been scheduled for a first defense.
• Tsarukyan is the No. 1 contender with wins over Charles Oliveira and Beneil Dariush, though he withdrew from a January title shot due to a back issue and is targeting a fall return.
• Matchmaking remains unsettled, with Paddy Pimblett and Justin Gaethje also floated as options, while Daniel Cormier agrees Tsarukyan is a tough matchup but stops short of calling him the clear best.