“He’s going to suffer”: Former Featherweight Champion Ilia Topuria fires warning shot at Arman Tsarukyan dismissing threat

The lightweight title picture is heating up, and Ilia Topuria is not backing down from the noise. While fans debate whether Arman Tsarukyan presents the toughest threat at 155 pounds, Topuria has dismissed Tsarukyan’s prowess in public.

The former featherweight champion addressed the chatter head-on during a live stream, dismissing the idea that Tsarukyan stands as his ultimate test.Topuria is widely expected to defend his lightweight crown against interim champion Justin Gaethje later this year. Yet many believe Tsarukyan deserves the opportunity. The Armenian contender has stayed vocal, pushing for a title shot after a strong run in the division.

Topuria, however, remains unmoved by the calls.

Ilia Topuria sends chilling message to Arman Tsarukyan

Topuria did not hesitate when asked about Tsarukyan’s credentials. “My toughest challenge? No way,” Topuria said during a live stream with Adin Ross. “I’ve already had my toughest challenges.“I don’t like to say who he fought, because there’s not an easy fight in the UFC. Everyone is a tough opponent. That’s one of the reasons why they’re fighting in the biggest promotion in the world.”

Topuria continued, “But he lost to Islam. He lost to Gamrot. He got knocked out in the beginning of his career. And he doesn’t really have the ability to finish the fight. He only finishes the fights when his opponent gets tired, and he just goes on the ground and does the ground and pound and all that.“But if he faced someone who really has that preparation, has that cardio, he doesn’t get scared if he goes to the ground, he’s going to suffer.”Despite the assessment, Topuria insists he is open to any opponent the UFC places in front of him.“You never call the UFC and tell them who you want to fight or where you want to fight,” Topuria said. “So, if they call me and tell me they want me to fight with Arman, no f*cking problem. I fought with so many tough opponents. And you think I don’t want to fight Arman? I don’t care. If they give me that fight, I’m fighting him. No problem.“Justin, Arman, I don’t care. Both of them, same night.”

Ilia Topuria explains his easy way to defeat Arman Tsarukyan

Further, Topuria explains his weapon of fear to defeat Arman. “Arman, easy. Because he will panic,” he said. “With me, he will panic. What’s he going to do? I always used to say, when I’m in training camp, I know how it feels when you feel pain. I know how it feels when you feel tired. I know how it feels when you feel like you can’t do more, and you keep doing it. I know about myself that there’s not a situation that I’m going to give up.“So, when I walk inside the octagon, my opponents should know that they’re going to have a badass motherf*cker in front who doesn’t know how to give up. That’s never going to happen. You’re going to have to kill me. And you know what, I love my life, and I’m not ready to die.”Topuria is dead set on dominating, and right now, his confidence shows that he is prepared for the fight.