UFC icon outlines "scary thought" for Ilia Topuria fans while explaining why Arman Tsarukyan deserves next title shot over Paddy Pimblett

Daniel Cormier recently shared his thoughts on a potential Ilia Topuria vs. Arman Tsarukyan lightweight title fight and explained why 'Ahalkalakets' should get the next championship opportunity over Paddy Pimblett.

Tsarukyan defeated Dan Hooker via second-round submission at UFC Qatar and called out Topuria for a lightweight title showdown. The two have a history of bad blood and rarely miss an opportunity to take shots at each other online.

Given their rivalry and Tsarukyan's latest win, many believe the Georgian-born fighter should be next in line for a 155-pound title shot. However, there's a strong possibility of Topuria facing Pimblett next. The two faced off inside the octagon immediately after Topuria's title win over Charles Oliveira at UFC 317 in June and have expressed a keen desire to settle their differences in the cage.

In a recent episode of the Good Guy/ Bad Guy Show with Chael Sonnen, Cormier backed Tsarukyan getting the next title shot and said:

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"I think Paddy Pimblett's fun, I think Paddy Pimblett has a bright future in fighting, but I believe that the two best lightweights in the world, if Islam Makhachev is now the welterweight champion, are Arman Tsarukyan and Ilia Topuria, and that's not even a question anymore. I thought that Paddy Pimblett getting into the octagon after Ilia won the belt, to me, was a little bit odd because I didn't feel like his beating Michael Chandler should have warranted him being in that spot."

He added:

"He [Tsarukyan] can do just about everything, and his top control is what's a real issue, and I believe that's the problem. That's the scary thought for anyone that are Ilia Topuria fans because if there's anyone who can replicate that game of Makhachev, or at least to a degree, it's Arman Tsarukyan." [H/t: MMA Junkie]

Watch the full episode below:

Sean O'Malley on a potential Ilia Topuria vs. Arman Tsarukyan title showdown

Sean O'Malley recently shared his two cents on a potential Ilia Topuria vs. Arman Tsarukyan fight and opined that the UFC may not be inclined to book them for a showdown.

In a video uploaded to his YouTube channel (via @RedCorner_MMA on X), O'Malley speculated that the UFC may not want Tsarukyan as one of its titleholders and said:

"I do not think the 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 fu***** legitimate chance of beating Ilia. I can’t believe I said it… If anyone has a chance at beating Ilia at 155, it’s Arman the turkey man Tsarukyan.”