Topuria Reacts To Arman's White House Role

UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria had a characteristically brief response when asked about Arman Tsarukyan being named the backup fighter for his UFC lightweight title defence against Justin Gaethje on June 14.

UFC CEO Dana White confirmed the backup role this week, a move that was widely welcomed by fight fans — not only because it protects the card against injury, but because Topuria versus Tsarukyan is a matchup many want to see.

Gaethje remains the opponent for now, and the plan is for that fight to go ahead as scheduled. But a ready replacement at Tsarukyan's level gives the event a credible safety net.

Ilia claimed the vacant lightweight title last year with a first-round knockout of Charles Oliveira. Before that, he had defended the featherweight title by knocking out Max Holloway and won it by stopping Alexander Volkanovski. Three consecutive knockout wins over three former or current champions represents one of the more remarkable stretches in recent MMA history.

Tsarukyan has his own credentials. He submitted Dan Hooker in his last outing and had previously beaten Oliveira by decision — the same Oliveira that Topuria finished inside a round. He has long been considered among the best lightweights in the world, though his path to a title shot has not been entirely smooth. Time spent on the wrong side of the UFC's disciplinary process kept him from the opportunities his performances warranted. Now, Ilia has had his say: "He's always a backup."