For months, the UFC featherweight division has been abuzz with speculation about who reigning champion Ilia Topuria would face next. Paddy Pimblett and Justin Gaethje were both contenders vying for a shot at the title, but it was Arman Tsarukyan who emerged as Topuria’s next opponent after his impressive win against Dan Hooker at UFC 324.
Naturally, fans and pundits alike were excited for the highly anticipated matchup between Topuria and Tsarukyan. But as the fight drew closer, whispers began to circulate that Topuria was avoiding Tsarukyan and looking for a way out of defending his title against the rising star. These allegations were fueled by former two-time champ, Conor McGregor, who took to social media to accuse Topuria of ducking Tsarukyan.
But is there any truth to these accusations? Let’s take a closer look at the situation.
Firstly, it’s worth noting that these accusations are coming from McGregor, someone who has been known to stir up controversy and make inflammatory statements. Therefore, it’s important to take his claims with a grain of salt. However, McGregor did bring up one particular incident that raised eyebrows and sparked the rumors of Topuria avoiding Tsarukyan.
During a press conference for UFC 324, Topuria made a personal confession about feeling anxious and scared leading up to his fight against Tsarukyan. He admitted that he was hesitant to fight someone as skilled and dangerous as Tsarukyan and even considered pulling out of the fight. This statement fueled the speculation that Topuria was looking for a way out of the matchup.
But let’s not jump to conclusions just yet. It’s completely natural for fighters to feel anxious and scared before a big fight, especially when facing an opponent of Tsarukyan’s caliber. It takes a lot of courage and mental fortitude to step into the Octagon and put everything on the line. So, it’s unfair to label Topuria as someone who is avoiding a fight just because he expressed his fears and concerns.
In fact, Topuria has been nothing but respectful towards Tsarukyan, acknowledging his skills and giving him credit for his impressive win against Hooker. Topuria has also made it clear that he is not afraid to defend his title against anyone, including Tsarukyan. So, it’s unfair to accuse him of ducking his opponent when he has not shown any signs of backing out from the fight.
Moreover, Topuria has a perfect record of 11-0, with nine of those wins coming by way of stoppage. He has proven himself to be a dominant and skilled champion, and there is no reason for him to fear any opponent. He has already defeated top contenders like Pimblett and Gaethje, and there is no doubt that he is more than capable of taking on Tsarukyan and emerging victorious.
In conclusion, there is no evidence to support the claim that Topuria is avoiding Tsarukyan. The rumors and accusations are simply based on one personal statement made by Topuria, which has been blown out of proportion by McGregor and other naysayers. It’s time to put these allegations to rest and focus on the highly anticipated matchup between Topuria and Tsarukyan, which is sure to be an epic battle between two talented fighters. Let’s give both of them the respect they deserve and let their skills and determination speak for themselves in the Octagon.