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Arman Tsarukyan wants upcoming lightweights to get a chance against perennial top contenders.
Tsarukyan says the Top 5 of the UFC lightweight division is an exclusive club, where they repeatedly fight each other. “Ahalkalakets” wants the lower ranked fighters to get a chance against the old timers, for some new contenders in the division.
“I don’t know why they give these old guys chances – Gaethje, Oliveira,” Tsarukyan said on “The Ariel Helwani Show.” “I wouldn’t be surprised if Oliveira fights for the title again… We need new names. New names coming up – give them chance. For example, someone who just got to top 10, Top 15, give them a chance with Top 5 and maybe switch the names.”
Tsarukyan’s claims certainly hold some weight. Perennial contenders like Justin Gaethje and Charles Oliveira have been ruling the top of the lightweight division. Gaethje has made two unsuccessful title bids, become the interim champion twice, and is now set to make a third title bid against Ilia Topuria at Freedom Fights 250 on June 14 at the White House. Meanwhile, “Do Bronx” has won the title once, lost it, made an unsuccessful bid against Topuria, and recently won the BMF title against Max Holloway.
While Holloway moved up from the featherweight division, his elite status translated to the lightweight division as well. Meanwhile, the recently retired Dustin Poirier was another such contender, who made three failed title bids. However, the old timers have not been ruling the top tier of the division without reason. These contenders have only lost to each other, or the reigning champion, while repeatedly thwarting the attempts of up-and-comers to achieve contender status. While Poirier shut down Benoit St. Denis, Oliveira stopped Mateusz Gamrot, and Gaethje won the interim title against Paddy Pimblett.
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Tsarukyan says the Top 5 of the UFC lightweight division is an exclusive club, where they repeatedly fight each other. “Ahalkalakets” wants the lower ranked fighters to get a chance against the old timers, for some new contenders in the division.
“I don’t know why they give these old guys chances – Gaethje, Oliveira,” Tsarukyan said on “The Ariel Helwani Show.” “I wouldn’t be surprised if Oliveira fights for the title again… We need new names. New names coming up – give them chance. For example, someone who just got to top 10, Top 15, give them a chance with Top 5 and maybe switch the names.”
The Old Guard
Tsarukyan’s claims certainly hold some weight. Perennial contenders like Justin Gaethje and Charles Oliveira have been ruling the top of the lightweight division. Gaethje has made two unsuccessful title bids, become the interim champion twice, and is now set to make a third title bid against Ilia Topuria at Freedom Fights 250 on June 14 at the White House. Meanwhile, “Do Bronx” has won the title once, lost it, made an unsuccessful bid against Topuria, and recently won the BMF title against Max Holloway.
While Holloway moved up from the featherweight division, his elite status translated to the lightweight division as well. Meanwhile, the recently retired Dustin Poirier was another such contender, who made three failed title bids. However, the old timers have not been ruling the top tier of the division without reason. These contenders have only lost to each other, or the reigning champion, while repeatedly thwarting the attempts of up-and-comers to achieve contender status. While Poirier shut down Benoit St. Denis, Oliveira stopped Mateusz Gamrot, and Gaethje won the interim title against Paddy Pimblett.
Continue reading...
