Hot News: “Stop Running Away, Ilia!” Arman Tsarukyan TEARS Ilia Topuria to EVADE HIM… The Truth Comes Out!

At 10:15 AM +07 on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, the UFC featherweight division has erupted into chaos following a scathing verbal attack by Arman Tsarukyan on Ilia Topuria. In a fiery Instagram Live session at 10:00 AM +07, Tsarukyan unleashed a brutal tirade, shouting, “Stop running away, Ilia! You’re ducking me, and the world sees it!” This bold accusation comes on the heels of Topuria’s title defense against Max Holloway on July 20, 2025, and Tsarukyan’s recent callout after his knockout victory over Charles Oliveira on June 15. The confrontation has ignited a firestorm on social media, with #TsarukyanVsTopuria trending, as fans and fighters demand clarity on whether Topuria is indeed evading a highly anticipated showdown.

The Context of the Clash

Ilia Topuria, the 27-year-old Georgian-Spanish featherweight champion with an unblemished 16-0 record, solidified his reign with a split decision victory over Holloway at UFC 305 in Perth, connecting 127 of 298 strikes (42.6%) per UFC Stats. His meteoric rise, marked by a knockout of Alexander Volkanovski in February 2024, has made him a dominant force. Meanwhile, Arman Tsarukyan, a 28-year-old Russian contender with a 13-3 record, has emerged as a top challenger after his second-round TKO of Oliveira, showcasing his elite wrestling and striking with 5.3 significant strikes per minute.

The tension between the two stems from Tsarukyan’s post-fight callout after the Oliveira win, where he demanded a title shot, citing his 6-1 run in the UFC. Topuria, however, has focused on high-profile defenses, leading Tsarukyan to accuse him of avoiding a matchup that could test his skills against a wrestler of Tsarukyan’s caliber. The latest outburst has escalated the rivalry to a boiling point.

Tsarukyan’s Explosive Outburst

During his Instagram Live at 10:00 AM +07, Tsarukyan didn’t hold back, stating, “Ilia, stop running away! You beat Volkanovski and Holloway, but you’re scared of me. I’ll drag you into the cage and finish you!” He criticized Topuria’s recent comments about seeking “bigger fights,” suggesting it’s a pretext to sidestep him. Tsarukyan also posted a mocking graphic of Topuria “running” from him, which quickly went viral. His manager, Ali Abdelaziz, backed the callout, telling ESPN at 10:05 AM +07, “Arman deserves this fight. Ilia can’t keep dodging.”

The intensity of Tsarukyan’s words reflects his frustration after being overlooked for the Holloway fight, which many believed should have been his opportunity. His record against top contenders and his wrestling advantage—averaging 3.8 takedowns per fight—fuel his confidence that he can dethrone Topuria.

Topuria’s Silence and Reactions

As of 10:15 AM +07, Topuria has not responded directly to Tsarukyan’s accusations, though his team hinted at a statement later today. His silence has only amplified the narrative of evasion, with fans on X posting, “Ilia’s ghosting Arman, prove him wrong!” and “Tsarukyan’s got a point, this smells like a duck.” Fellow fighters have weighed in: Dustin Poirier tweeted at 10:10 AM +07, “Let’s see if Ilia steps up or keeps stalling,” while Volkanovski, despite his loss, supported Topuria, saying, “Ilia’s a champ, but Arman’s a tough test.”

Analysts like Daniel Cormier suggest UFC might be delaying the matchup to build hype, possibly targeting UFC 320 in December 2025. Others speculate Topuria’s camp is prioritizing a rematch with Holloway or a move to lightweight, avoiding Tsarukyan’s grappling threat.

What This Means

If UFC books Tsarukyan vs. Topuria, it could be a PPV blockbuster, potentially grossing $15 million with Abu Dhabi’s backing. For Tsarukyan, a win would crown him champion and validate his rise; for Topuria, a defense would cement his legacy. A refusal by Topuria could damage his reputation, while a loss for either could reshape the division, opening doors for contenders like Movsar Evloev.

At 10:15 AM +07, as the MMA world buzzes with anticipation, Tsarukyan’s tearful challenge has forced Topuria into a corner. The truth—whether evasion or strategy—will soon emerge, promising a saga that could define the featherweight title race.