Joe Rogan came away highly impressed by Arman Tsarukyan after watching the UFC lightweight compete in a freestyle wrestling match with Urijah Faber at RAF 08.
A possible Arman Tsarukyan vs. Ilia Topuria matchup got an intriguing push this week after longtime UFC commentator Joe Rogan raved about Tsarukyan’s wrestling following RAF 08, where he competed against Urijah Faber. The praise matters because any future meeting between Tsarukyan and Topuria would have major implications at 155 pounds, a division that remains one of the UFC’s deepest and most volatile.
Speaking about what he saw at the event, Rogan said Tsarukyan was the standout performer on the card. He pointed to Tsarukyan’s dominant showing over Lance Palmer and suggested that a fight with Topuria would be especially compelling in the lightweight division, according to Bloody Elbow.
That is the real story here. American MMA fans already know Topuria as a rising superstar with crossover appeal, but Tsarukyan has built a reputation as one of the most dangerous style-matchup problems in the division. If this fight comes together, it would likely be viewed as more than a contender bout. A Tsarukyan win would strengthen his case as one of the most complete lightweights on the roster, while a Topuria victory would reinforce the idea that his skill set translates cleanly against elite wrestlers and pressure fighters at 155.
There is also a clear narrative hook: Topuria’s boxing and composure against Tsarukyan’s grinding pace, chain wrestling, and control. That contrast is exactly why U.S. fans and media would treat the matchup as a serious test rather than just another big-name booking. Tsarukyan, in particular, still needs to prove he can turn elite ability into a defining win that forces the UFC’s hand in the title picture.
For now, Rogan’s reaction adds even more intrigue to a matchup that already feels meaningful. If the UFC decides to make Tsarukyan vs. Topuria official, the buildup will center on whether technique, physicality, or star momentum wins out when two of the division’s most dangerous names finally meet.
