Michael Bisping believes Arman Tsarukyan may represent the most difficult stylistic challenge for reigning lightweight champion Ilia Topuria.
Topuria (17-0 MMA, 9-0 UFC) is scheduled to defend his 155-pound belt against Justin Gaethje (27-5 MMA, 10-5 UFC) at the upcoming UFC event at the White House on June 14. Gaethje earned the interim title earlier this year with a victory over Paddy Pimblett at UFC 324, securing his place as the next challenger.
Meanwhile, Tsarukyan (23-3 MMA, 10-2 UFC) has remained on the sidelines. Once positioned for a title opportunity, his withdrawal from a previously scheduled championship bout against Islam Makhachev appears to have cooled his standing with UFC matchmakers, leaving him outside the immediate title picture.
Despite that, Bisping sees Tsarukyan as a uniquely dangerous opponent for Topuria.
“Ilia versus Arman, I think it's a great fight, and I think it's probably one of the only real tests that Ilia Topuria might have,” Bisping said in a video posted to his YouTube channel.
While acknowledging Gaethje’s credentials, Bisping pointed to potential vulnerabilities.
“It sounds disrespectful to Justin Gaethje. He's got good power. He's got good anti-wrestling. He's got a lot of experience,” Bisping said. “But the reality is he also has a lot of miles on the clock. And Paddy Pimblett was able to connect quite a lot with Justin Gaethje with those kind of wild uppercuts.”
In contrast, Bisping emphasized Topuria’s precision and technical edge.
“Ilia is precise. He's clinical. He's surgical. He's got laser beam accuracy. He's got unbelievable wrestling,” he said.
However, Tsarukyan’s skill set could neutralize some of those advantages.
“I don't know if you could out-wrestle Arman Tsarukyan, but he could certainly negate the wrestling,” Bisping explained. “So therefore the fight remains on the feet.”
Bisping also highlighted Tsarukyan’s explosiveness, referencing a recent quick finish.
“Arman's quick… look at what he did with that punch-knee combination where he took him out in like 16 seconds,” he said.
Even so, Bisping ultimately gives Topuria the edge in striking.
“You’ve got to look at the boxing of Ilia and just think, he's got the edge there,” Bisping said. “How can you say that anyone in the UFC has cleaner boxing than Ilia Topuria?”
