A former UFC lightweight title challenger believes he would have gotten the better of former champion Khabib Nurmagomedov in a hypothetical matchup.
The never-made matchup between Arman Tsarukyan and Khabib Nurmagomedov is back in the conversation after Tsarukyan laid out exactly how he thinks that fight would have played out. Speaking recently in comments shared by blogger Navid Yousefi on social media, the top lightweight said he sees himself beating Nurmagomedov, likely by decision, because of what he views as a more complete overall skill set.
Tsarukyan’s take will get attention in the U.S. for one simple reason: Nurmagomedov still looms over the division years after retirement. Even without an official booking, any serious claim against Khabib instantly becomes a measuring stick at 155 pounds, especially when it comes from a fighter still trying to secure undisputed gold in the deepest weight class on the roster.
In the translated remarks, Tsarukyan said he would be the one to win and suggested his versatility would be the difference. That is the real debate American fans will latch onto. Nurmagomedov built his legacy on control, pace and suffocating grappling, while Tsarukyan has increasingly presented himself as a modern lightweight with layered wrestling, sharper striking and the ability to adjust over five rounds.
The divisional stakes make the hypothetical even more interesting. If Tsarukyan keeps winning, he strengthens the argument that this generation of lightweight contenders is more well-rounded than the one Khabib ruled. If you side with Nurmagomedov, the counter is obvious: nobody solved his pressure, and no résumé at 155 has matched his dominance. Tsarukyan also has something to prove narratively — that he is more than a dangerous contender and can become the defining lightweight of the post-Khabib era.
For now, this is still fantasy matchmaking, not a real UFC 300 announcement. But whenever Tsarukyan speaks this confidently about a legend like Nurmagomedov, the reaction tells you everything about his place in the division — and his next fight will only make that conversation louder.
