Ilia Topuria says Arman Tsarukyan can't handle his striking.
Former two-division UFC champion Topuria (17-1 MMA, 9-1 UFC) is plotting his return after losing the lightweight title to Justin Gaethje at UFC Freedom 250. Among the top contenders he could cross paths with is Tsarukyan, who is in line for a title shot.
Topuria believes a fight with Tsarukyan (24-3 MMA, 11-2 UFC) would look a lot like UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski's dominant finish of Movsar Evloev at UFC 333.
"Arman would be pure panic on the feet trying to take you down," Topuria told ABC MMA (h/t Freak MMA). "Like Movsar against Volk, the same thing. They are used to dominating all the time, and their confidence grows through that domination. When you cannot dominate,
especially as a wrestler, wrestling and takedown defense in MMA have evolved so much that without good ground skills alongside your wrestling, it becomes exhausting. Arman does not stand out for his ground game.
"He stands out for takedowns and the dominant positions he looks for. How often have you seen someone stop those takedowns and go after him? Like what happened against Volk. He (Evloev) was so used to taking people down, resting in the clinch or on their backs, but with Volk, he could not do any of that. What happened? Panic, and he gave up. I have been world champion in two divisions, in four world title fights. ... I grew up grappling and wrestling. I have more wrestling photos than photos playing in the park. It's my life."
Topuria's loss to Gaethje was the first of his career. "El Matador" suffered plenty of damage, which prompted his brother to intervene and stop the fight – which he believes saved his career.
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Ilia Topuria says he'd put Arman Tsarukyan in 'pure panic' mode
