Arman Tsarukyan Breaks Down Why Usman Nurmagomedov Could Edge Out Ilia Topuria

When the conversation turned to who might give Ilia Topuria a run‑for‑its‑money debut in the UFC, a name kept popping up: Usman Nurmagomedov. The Dagestani free agent, fresh off titles in Bellator and the PFL, has already sparked a lot of buzz, and his training‑partner Arman Tsarukyan didn’t hold back.

Speaking to the Ukrainian outlet Ushatayka, Tsarukyan painted a picture that’s a little counter‑intuitive. “Usman’s not the flashiest striker,” he said with a chuckle, “but his overall stand‑up game might actually be a notch better than Ilia’s.” He went on to stress that it’s not just the punches that matter – it’s the way Usman blends striking with his trademark wrestling.

“His wrestling is elite, no doubt,” Tsarukyan added. “And the thing that gives him the edge is his ability to mix things up. He can change the pace, switch levels, make Ilia chase angles he’s not comfortable with.” Those nuances, Tsarukyan believes, could turn what looks on paper like a striking showdown into a more grappling‑heavy contest where the Dagestani’s judo‑style takedowns become decisive.

Topuria, for his part, isn’t a lightweight novice. The Georgian has already collected feather‑ and lightweight titles in the UFC, notching wins over the likes of Alexander Volkanovski, Max Holloway and Charles Oliveira. His most recent fight, a hard‑fought bout against Justin Gaethje at UFC Freedom 250, ended in a corner‑stop TKO after Topuria suffered a cracked orbital bone. Still, the loss didn’t erase his reputation as a top‑tier contender.

Usman, meanwhile, sits at 28 years old with a clean record and championship belts from both Bellator and the PFL. He’s racked up victories over Paul Hughes, Alexander Shabliy and Archie Colgan, among others. After his PFL contract lapsed in July, he entered a 90‑day exclusive negotiation window, leaving his next destination – possibly the UFC – wide open.

Even Usman’s own coach, veteran Javier Méndez, acknowledges the puzzle Topuria presents. In a chat with Submission Radio, Méndez said, “He matches well with everyone, but Topuria is the toughest puzzle. We’ll solve it, but it’ll be a tough one.” That respect from a seasoned trainer only adds weight to Tsarukyan’s assessment.

Bottom line? If Nurmagomedov can marry his wrestling pedigree with a crafty, unpredictable stand‑up approach, the matchup could tilt in his favor. Whether that “mix‑up” factor is enough to topple a champion‑level striker like Topuria will only be settled when the two finally step into the Octagon.