Ilia Topuria is running from Arman Tsarukyan, says ex-UFC champion: “He is threatened”

Reigning UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria has been making headlines recently, not just for his impressive skills inside the octagon, but also for his controversial decisions outside of it. The Georgian-born Spaniard has been in the spotlight for his reluctance to fight top contender Arman Tsarukyan, leading many to speculate that he is avoiding a tough matchup.

Former bantamweight champion T.J. Dillashaw weighed in on the situation during a recent episode of the JAXXON podcast, suggesting that Topuria may be running from Tsarukyan out of fear of his formidable MMA skills. Dillashaw acknowledged Topuria’s talent but believes that he is threatened by Tsarukyan’s size, strength, and well-rounded skill set. Despite being one of the most skilled fighters in the UFC, Topuria has consistently rejected the idea of facing Tsarukyan and even threatened to vacate his title if forced to defend it against the Russian.

Instead of facing Tsarukyan, Topuria seems more interested in pursuing a fight with newly crowned welterweight champion Islam Makhachev. However, with the UFC announcing an interim lightweight title fight between Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett for UFC 324, Topuria may not have to face Tsarukyan anytime soon. UFC President Dana White has confirmed that the winner of the UFC 324 headliner will be next in line for a shot at Topuria’s lightweight throne.

In a surprising turn of events, Topuria has announced that he will be taking a hiatus from MMA in the first quarter of 2026 due to personal issues. In a post on X, Topuria revealed that he is going through a difficult moment in his personal life and wants to focus on resolving the situation and spending time with his children. Rumors of a potential divorce between Topuria and his wife have been circulating on social media, adding more intrigue to the champion’s decision to step away from the sport temporarily.

Despite the drama surrounding Topuria, fans can expect an exciting interim lightweight title fight at UFC 324 and potentially a showdown between Topuria and the winner in the future. The lightweight division may experience a slowdown with Topuria’s hiatus, but the UFC is sure to make the necessary matchups to keep the division active. As Topuria deals with his personal issues, the MMA world will be eagerly anticipating his return to the octagon.