Arman Tsarukyan claims finances are stopping a grappling contest against Islam Makhachev 

Arman Tsarukyan has kept himself active as the UFC doesn’t give him a lightweight title shot.

The Armenian was expected to fight Ilia Topuria for the lightweight gold after beating Dan Hooker. However, Dana White set up an interim title fight between Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett in the lightweight division.

The champion, Ilia Topuria, will not be competing for a while due to personal reasons. That leaves Tsarukyan free to compete in grappling contests and he was asked about a potential clash with Islam Makhachev.

Makhachev is the former lightweight champion. The Russian gave up his belt to fight in the welterweight crown and defeated Jack Della Maddalena to become a double UFC champion.

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However, Tsarukyan claimed that this grappling contest with Makhachev would not happen since the current welterweight champion earns a lot and no one is willing to pay him that much for a grappling clash.

Tsarukyan told Red Corner MMA:

“In the short term, this grappling match won’t happen because Islam makes very big money in the UFC. I don’t think anybody can afford paying him that amount of money.”

Check out Arman Tsarukyan’s comments below:

Tsarukyan was to face Makhachev at UFC 311 but the Armenian pulled out of the clash at the last minute citing injury.

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Arman Tsarukyan slams Ilia Topuria over inactivity

While Ilia Topuria is on hiatus, he still had time to speak with Eldoberdan after WOW 25: Madrid. The current UFC lightweight champion hit out at Arman Tsarukyan, Islam Makhachev and Khabib Nurmagomedov in the interview.

Topuria claimed he was better than Tsarukyan and Makhachev. He also claimed he would submit the retired Khabib after beating Makhachev.

Suffice to say, Tsarukyan was not impressed with all of this. The Armenian slammed Topuria for having time to give interviews and make appearances when ‘El Matador’ needed a break for his family issues:

"You [are] talking about taking time off from fighting to fix your family issues, but it looks like you have plenty of free time for all these interviews. You’re a joke, El P*****a."

Edited by Saiyed Adeem Karim