Top-ranked UFC lightweight Arman Tsarukyan says he could end up fighting Khabib Nurmagomedov’s brother or another member of his team down the line.
A future collision between Arman Tsarukyan and a member of Khabib Nurmagomedov’s camp may be on the table, as the UFC lightweight contender said he expects to face either Nurmagomedov’s brother or someone else from that team at some point. The comments add another layer to one of the division’s most important rival circles, especially with the 155-pound title picture constantly shifting around Islam Makhachev.
Tsarukyan made clear that while Khabib is no longer competing, his presence still looms over the division through the fighters he now helps train, including his relatives and teammates. For American fans, that angle matters because Nurmagomedov’s camp still carries major star power, and any matchup tied to that group instantly becomes a talking point in the lightweight race.
The stakes are obvious. If Tsarukyan gets another fight against someone from that team and wins, it would strengthen his case as one of the most dangerous contenders in the division and push him closer to another championship opportunity. If he loses, questions will keep following him about whether he can finally break through against the sport’s most dominant lightweight stable.
There is already real history here. Tsarukyan previously fought Islam Makhachev and dropped a decision, a result that has remained relevant as both men continued climbing the rankings. That matchup is still viewed by many MMA observers in the U.S. as an important measuring stick because Tsarukyan was competitive before becoming the more polished and physically mature version of himself seen today.
What makes this especially interesting is the narrative pressure on Tsarukyan. He needs to prove he is more than just a top contender with elite skills—he has to show he can beat the names connected to the Nurmagomedov-Makhachev machine. If that opportunity comes, expect the lightweight division to pay close attention, because the result could shape the next serious title conversation.
