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Arman Tsarukyan names the exact move he would use to knock out Ilia Topuria

Originally posted on Bloody Elbow | By Harvey Leonard | Last updated Nov 27, 2025 7:10 PM ET

Arman Tsarukyan knows how he will put the UFC lightweight champion down.

The Armenian cemented himself as the division’s No. 1-ranked contender in the main event of last Saturday’s UFC Fight Night in Qatar.

Tsarukyan submitted Dan Hooker in his first fight since pulling out of a championship fight with Islam Makhachev on late notice due to an injury this past January.

He’s hoping that the dominant performance against ‘The Hangman’ is enough to put him above the likes of Paddy Pimblett and Justin Gaethje in the race for a lightweight title shot.

If that is the case, ‘Ahalkalakets’ already knows how he would become the first man to defeat Ilia Topuria…

Who should get the next lightweight title shot?

Arman Tsarukyan reveals bold plan to KO Ilia Topuria with his axe kick

Topuria has proven to be an unsolvable puzzle to date in the UFC.

Nine wins inside the Octagon have moved his perfect professional record to 17-0, and top names like Charles Oliveira, Alexander Volkanovski, and Max Holloway are among the Spaniard’s victims.

But while those three all fell to the power in Topuria’s fists, Tsarukyan is confident that he would be the one left standing in a contest with ‘El Matador’.

“I will beat him everywhere,” Tsarukyan said during an interview on Daniel Cormier’s YouTube channel.

“Just tell me how you want to see that fight (go) and I will make it happen.

“I will knock him out with my axe kick,” he continued. “I will make him tired, throw my axe kick, and knock him out.

“That is my plan.”

Ilia Topuria rumors spell concern for Arman Tsarukyan’s title ambitions

Despite his impressive performance in Qatar and status as the top contender, it seems like Tsarukyan may not be getting his wish at the start of 2026.

Latest reports have suggested that Topuria won’t return until the spring, despite UFC president Dana White initially hinting that his opening lightweight title defense could headline the promotion’s first major event on Paramount+ in January.

After revealing that comeback delay, Spanish journalist Alvaro Colmenero confirmed that there is something to the speculation that Paddy Pimblett could fight Justin Gaethje at UFC 324, with the winner going on to challenge ‘El Matador’ later in the year.

It remains to be seen whether the division’s title picture will play out that way in the next few months, and what it will mean for Tsarukyan’s next appearance inside the Octagon.

This article first appeared on Bloody Elbow and was syndicated with permission.

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