Sean O’Malley has raised concern about whether UFC is willing to pair Ilia Topuria with Arman Tsarukyan next. In his view, Tsarukyan has become the most serious danger to the champion after a dominant win, and that alone might cause the promotion to avoid booking the fight.
Tsarukyan blasted through Dan Hooker at UFC Qatar, taking over the contest until he finished with a tight head and arm choke in Round 2. The performance also eased doubts about his cut to 155, which surfaced when Tsarukyan was forced to abandon his UFC 311 title fight because of weight-cut complications.
Even though he sits at the top of the contender list, O’Malley believes UFC sometimes delays strong threats if easier or more marketable names are available.
In his recent video, he explained his stance.
“Arman is no f—king joke, Arman vs. Ilia is an interesting match up,” O’Malley said. “I don’t think UFC will make Arman vs Ilia because I think they love Ilia as a champion, he’s a great champion. I don’t think they really want Arman to become champion. He has a f—king legitimate chance of beating Ilia. There, I said it.
“Ilia might knock him out, but if anyone has a chance at beating Ilia at 155, it’s Arman Tsarukyan.”
UFC has multiple directions available
There are several fighters who bring wider fan interest than Tsarukyan. Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett generate far more attention among casual fans, which UFC can use to strengthen the January 2026 schedule.
Topuria has already beaten top names including Alexander Volkanovski, Max Holloway and Charles Oliveira. Because of that, many fans expect UFC to match him with opponents who create large demand instead of ones who present the strongest technical challenges.
The betting lines also favor Topuria heavily against most contenders, while Tsarukyan is viewed as a far more dangerous and unpredictable test.
O’Malley has dealt with similar matchmaking. He received a rematch with Chito Vera for his first title defense instead of Merab Dvalishvili, who was the toughest option in the division at the time. Dvalishvili eventually got his opportunity later, but he was not selected immediately.
If Topuria faces Gaethje in January, Tsarukyan will likely be next in line. His win in Qatar and his place in the rankings give him a clear path even if he is not chosen right away.
UFC must begin confirming early 2026 matchups soon because ticket sales and event promotion are approaching. When the first announcement is made, the lineup for Topuria’s title picture will be much clearer.
