Daniel Cormier challenges Khabib Nurmagomedov’s prediction that Arman Tsarukyan would dominate UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria, giving Topuria only a 20% chance of winning. Speaking on his YouTube channel on August 27, 2025, Cormier argued Topuria’s undefeated record and knockouts make him the division’s best. Nurmagomedov, in an August 24, 2025, interview with Kamil Gadzhiyev, praised Tsarukyan’s wrestling skills.
Cormier on Topuria’s Dominance
Cormier highlighted Topuria’s success, saying:
“All we’ve seen Ilia Topuria do is beat people up, and honestly, for as much better as Arman has gotten, Ilia’s gotten better, too.”
Topuria, 28, is 17-0, with knockouts over Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298 in 2024, Max Holloway at UFC 308 in 2024, and Charles Oliveira at UFC 317 in June 2025. He became the first undefeated two-division UFC champion, claiming the lightweight title after vacating his featherweight belt.
Cormier added: “Now, I am by no means saying that Arman cannot fight Ilia Topuria, and he might be the best lightweight in the world. But Topuria has the belt now, and because of that, and the way he looked doing it, Ilia Topuria is the best lightweight in the world to me.”
Why Cormier Questions Nurmagomedov’s Prediction
Nurmagomedov predicted Tsarukyan would win 80% of the time, citing his wrestling and range control. Cormier found this extreme, saying:
“80-20 percent is crazy though. 80-20 percent is hard when anyone’s fighting. The only time 80-20 could be thought of in fights has been in the case of Khabib and Jon Jones. They’re the only people that have gone through this whole thing without losing.”
He emphasized Topuria’s perfect record, adding:
“But guess who else hasn’t lost? Ilia Topuria. So to put him on the opposite side of that 80-20 is crazy to me. I don’t believe that for one second. I really do disagree with Khabib on that one. There is not a guy in the world that I believe is going to beat Ilia Topuria eight out of 10 times.”
UFC CEO Dana White has not confirmed Topuria’s next opponent, but Tsarukyan’s four-fight win streak makes him a strong candidate.
