Arman Tsarukyan thinks former UFC champion Ilia Topuria should fight someone unranked next.
Topuria (17-1 MMA, 9-1 UFC) lost his lightweight title when he was battered by Justin Gaethje at UFC Freedom 250 in June. The TKO setback marked the first of Topuria's career after he tore through competition.
Tsarukyan (23-3 MMA, 10-2 UFC) took aim at Topuria by suggesting he fight the skidding Michael Chandler (23-11 MMA, 2-6 UFC), whom he recently urged the UFC to cut after he was knocked out by Mauricio Ruffy at UFC Freedom 250.
"He's still recovering and probably next for him a fight with Michael Chandler and then come back and fight for the title," Tsarukyan told the UFC of Topuria. "Who else? After this fight, he needs an easy fight, and then after
that fight come and fight again."
Tsarukyan meets Ruffy (14-2 MMA, 5-1 UFC) in the UFC 331 co-main event on Sept. 19 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. He already views himself as a No. 1 contender, but says a win of Ruffy further cements that.
"There's a lot of top guys," Tsarukyan said. "Me, (Charles) Oliveira still, Paddy Pimblett, Topuria. Max Holloway is tough, as well. But when I beat Ruffy, I'm going to fight for the title and then I can pick who I want to fight."
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Arman Tsarukyan suggests 'easy fight' for Ilia Topuria after UFC title loss
