Chael Sonnen Just Said Arman Tsarukyan's Next Fight Is Already Locked In and the UFC Universe Is Losing It

UFC legend Chael Sonnen just dropped a bombshell claim that has the entire lightweight division holding its breath: Arman Tsarukyan's next opponent is already booked. The problem? Nobody knows who it is yet, and Sonnen thinks he has it figured out.

The Mystery Opponent Theory

During a recent video, Sonnen laid out his reasoning with the precision of a fighter breaking down game tape. He said the only matchup that truly makes sense right now is against the winner of Ilia Topuria vs. Justin Gaethje. Here's what he actually said: "So, who are you going to put him with? I have a very difficult time making sense of anybody as the roster sits right now, aside from the winner of Geathje vs. Ilia. I have a very hard time, but that doesn't mean it's impossible. Not if you go back to my original hypothesis, which is the potential next opponent for Tsarukyan is currently booked."

Think about that for a second. Sonnen is suggesting the UFC already has Tsarukyan locked in with someone, and he believes it's tied to the outcome of one of the biggest upcoming lightweight title fights.

Tsarukyan Wants Topuria, and He's Not Being Quiet About It

Tsarukyan isn't waiting around for the UFC to make a move. The Armenian fighter recently defeated Dan Hooker at UFC Qatar, and he's been making his case loud and clear. He's been hitting Topuria with ducking allegations since Topuria became the lightweight champ, and in a recent interview with Ariel Helwani, Tsarukyan made it personal:

"We are both on the young, and on our prime. Everybody's gonna talk about that fight. 50% gonna think I'm gonna win, 50% gonna think Ilia's gonna win. If it's not you next, then we have a massive problem... My fans gonna have a problem with UFC."

He's not wrong. A 50-50 fight between two guys in their prime would be must-watch television. Tsarukyan believes he's done proving himself outside the octagon through wrestling matches and live streams with influencers. He wants his shot at UFC gold, and he wants it now.

The Waiting Game

Here's the thing: Tsarukyan has done enough to earn a title shot. He's been staying sharp, keeping his hype alive, and becoming one of the biggest stars in the industry without even being super active inside the UFC. But now he's fully focused on getting that championship fight. Whether Sonnen's theory is right or not, one thing is clear: something big is brewing in the lightweight division, and Tsarukyan is at the center of it all.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.