Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson walking out to UFC fight with mystery inset. Credit: Al Bello/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC Via Getty Images

‘You see it in his eyes’ … Rampage Jackson touts ‘hungry’ UFC 300 star as future lightweight champion

Originally posted on Bloody Elbow
By Christopher De Santiago | Last updated May 16, 2025 4:34 PM ET

Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson thinks the UFC lightweight division has a real problem on its hands.

It’s a very interesting time to be a UFC lightweight. Earlier this week, UFC Champion Islam Makhachev relinquished his belt for a move up to welterweight against Jack Della Maddalena.

Fighting for Makhachev’s vacant title will be none other than the undefeated Ilia Topuria and former champion Charles Oliveira at UFC 317 on June 28th.

In a division full of contenders like Justin Gaethje and Max Holloway, UFC legend Rampage Jackson is riding with a dark horse to become the next lightweight champion after Topuria vs. Oliveira.

Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Rampage Jackson claims Arman Tsarukyan is the UFC’s next champion

The 22-3 Arman Tsarukyan became the #1-ranked lightweight in the world at the milestone UFC 300 event around this time last year when he defeated Charles Oliveira by split decision.

Going up against the most prolific submission artist in UFC history, Tsarukyan was heavily praised for his heart and determination after surviving four of Oliveira’s submission attempts.

Tsarukyan is 9-1 since dropping his UFC debut to Makhachev on short notice. After losing out on a lightweight title shot this year because of an injury, the #1 contender wants to fight Justin Gaethje next to prove he’s worthy of another opportunity.

“With all due respect to Gaethje, I think Arman is the next champ,” former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jackson said on The Jaxxon Podcast.

“He’s hungry, man…

“Look at that kid. You see it in his eyes. He’s hungry,” Jackson said of Tsarukyan.

Actively training, Tsarukyan has not fought in 13 months with his last appearance against Oliveira at UFC 300 and recently turned down a ‘disrespectful’ offer from the UFC to fight a lower-ranked contender.

Rampage Jackson expects Arman Tsarukyan to take out frustrations on next opponent

After four-straight wins at lightweight, Tsarukyan was offered a title rematch with Makhachev at UFC 302, the same night he beat Oliveira at UFC 300. He declined as the fight was on six weeks’ notice and he had just gone three rounds with ‘Do Bronx’.

Makhachev would instead fight Poirier at UFC 302 last summer, with Tsarukyan having to wait until January for his first world title fight at UFC 311.

The day before the event, Tsarukyan was forced to withdraw due to a painful back injury and was replaced by Renato Moicano in the headliner. Post-fight, UFC CEO Dana White confirmed Tsarukyan would have to fight again if he wanted a title shot.

“Hopefully, this just fuels his hunger even more,” ex-UFC bantamweight champ TJ Dillashaw said of Tsarukyan’s current position.

“It’s gonna piss him off a little bit,” Jackson responded.

“Whoever steps in that cage with him next, I feel like they gonna get the s— beat out of them,” the former light heavyweight champion said of Tsarukyan.

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

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