Arman Tsarukyan Explains How He Beats a Prime Khabib Nurmagomedov: “I’m More Well-Rounded”

UFC lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan confidently asserts that he possesses the abilities to overcome an undefeated prime Khabib Nurmagomedov. The 29-year-old, widely recognized for his exceptional striking, wrestling, and grappling prowess, believes his comprehensive skill set is the key to victory against the former champion.

When directly asked in a recent interview about a hypothetical clash between himself at his peak and Khabib Nurmagomedov, Tsarukyan's response was unequivocal: "Me." He elaborated that in such a potential bout against "The Eagle," his strategy wouldn't be to seek a decisive knockout but rather to secure a dominant decision win. Tsarukyan emphasized his belief that he is more "well-rounded" than Nurmagomedov, which bolsters his confidence in defeating the legendary former UFC lightweight champion. He stated, "My skills are my biggest advantage. I'm more well-rounded than him [Khabib]."

Tsarukyan's UFC journey began with a unanimous decision loss to Khabib's protégé, Islam Makhachev. However, since that debut, "Ahalkalakets" has meticulously built a formidable reputation through consistent dominance in the octagon, including notable successes in RAF and Hype FC, and by maintaining a top lightweight ranking for over a year. A hypothetical encounter between a young Nurmagomedov and Tsarukyan would have presented a captivating clash of styles, pitting Tsarukyan's elite wrestling against the Russian phenom's world-class judo and sambo.

Khabib Nurmagomedov Believes Arman Tsarukyan is the Best Lightweight in the World Right Now

Intriguingly, Khabib Nurmagomedov himself recently acknowledged Arman Tsarukyan as the current best lightweight fighter globally. In an interview with Kamil Gadzhiyev, "The Eagle" expressed doubt that even two-division UFC champion Ilia Topuria would have the tools to defeat Tsarukyan. Nurmagomedov remarked, "Arman is the best lightweight in the world right now. I don’t think Topuria has a chance at beating him. The UFC is being cautious by not making the fight."