UFC Austin: Moody Center; Austin, Texas
It didn’t take long at all for the UFC’s lightweight division to be flipped. And that tends to happen when a veteran puts his ranking slot on the line versus a rising threat. After Arman Tsarukyan made quick work of Beneil Dariush he proved just why everyone at 155 has been avoiding him like the plague. Now looking forward to the flipping of the calendar, it’s also certain that lightweight next year will be bonkers.
Dariush appeared to have a decent gameplan. He started out with kicks trying to soften up the 27-year old. And as Tsarukyan started to return fire he was just slightly off target with a right knee. But his following right hook crashed the jaw of Dariush putting him down to the mat. Although Tsarukyan followed him down it wasn’t needed, it was game over at just 64-seconds into the opening frame as referee MARK SMITH waived the fight off.
Lightweight Next Year Will Be Must Watch TV
So the ATT pupil has made himself now unavoidable, there is no arguing that. While Tsarukyan in part said:
“So Islam is a different level… but this one will be different (he lost to him four-years ago), I WILL knock him out”.
Yes, he’s exciting, and is the new shiny toy at 155. But a rematch against the champion Islam Makhachev won’t be his next fight. That of course assuming the strap remains with the Dagestani. However there is another strap in the division… well sort of a strap in the BMF Belt. He doesn’t have the long resume or the bright lights name for that belt. However, a scrap between him and Justin Gaethje would be in a single word CRAZY.
Much like the battle on paper with Dariush, both can more than handle themselves on the ground. But both love to swing the leather. And the chin of “The Highlight” is still one of the tops in the game. Tsarukyan brings more pressure while Gaethje is the better counter striker between the duo.
So is it possible that within 365-days from today the lightweight title will reside with an Armenian? Sure, but as the tip top of the division the differences are razor thin. He does not do one thing “great” he is a super well rounded fighter. However, his age, and the fact he hasn’t been in multiple wars can be exploided.
Plus he’ll also have to get through his teammate Dustin Poirier as well. And that brings it’s own complications as well. Guess you can say that 2024 will be the year that makes lightweight great again. Especially if he can get through that gauntlet.
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