Arman Tsarukyan supports Islam Makhachev's decision to not fight Ilia Topuria, who recently vacated his featherweight title to pursue a lightweight championship. Makhachev feels he has little to gain by fighting Topuria, especially in light of past criticisms of his victories over smaller opponents. Tsarukyan, currently the No. 1 ranked lightweight contender, sees the fight with Makhachev as a crucial step for the champion to truly dominate the lightweight division before potentially moving to welterweight. He believes that a win over him would solidify Makhachev's status.
"Islam doesn't want to fight him because if he wins people [are] gonna say, 'OK, you again beat a 145 [pound] fighter.' He's not No. 1 contender."
"If Islam beats me then I think he's done with this division, he beat everybody. Just he gotta beat me and people can say that."
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