Arman Tsarukyan offers to buy $3.5M home from Ilia Topuria to set up UFC showdown

Arman Tsarukyan is determined to fight Ilia Topuria in the UFC—so much so that he’s willing to buy his rival’s house.

Spain’s Topuria is the reigning undisputed UFC lightweight champion. He won the division’s vacant belt with a quick KO of Charles Oliveira last year. However, he has not fought since, having been sidelined by some personal issues—notably a high-profile divorce.

In the meantime, the UFC introduced an interim lightweight title to keep the division moving while Topuria is away. Justin Gaethje won that belt at UFC 324 last weekend, when he defeated Paddy Pimblett by decision.

After that fight, all signs now point to a title-unifying bout between Topuria and Gaethje. There’s just one problem with that. Most fans consider Arman Tsarukyan the No. 1 contender—even after Gaethje won the interim belt.

There’s some merit to that argument. Tsarukyan is on a longer streak than Gaethje, and has recently beaten two top opponents in Charles Oliveira and Dan Hooker. In fact, he’s looked pretty much unbeatable in the UFC outside losses to Islam Makhachev and Mateusz Gamrot.

Unfortunately, however, Tsarukyan seems to have angered UFC brass. As such, he’s been left out in the cold while Topuria sets his sights on Gaethje.

Arman Tsarukyan makes insane offer for UFC fight with Ilia Topuria

In an effort to convince Topuria to fight, Tsarukyan recently offered to buy his rival’s $3.5 million USD home, which went up for sale as a consequence of the divorce.

See what he has to say on X below:

I’ll buy your house if you agree to fight me next @Topuriailia https://t.co/AzxMueFZuR

— Arman Tsarukyan UFC (@ArmanUfc) January 28, 2026

“I’ll buy your house if you agree to fight me next @Topuriailia,” he wrote.

Topuria doesn’t seem like the type to shut down a fight with Tsarukyan. However, it’s more than likely he’ll be bound by the decisions of UFC matchmakers. And they will almost certainly book the fight Gaethje next.