Arman Tsarukyan is “the biggest challenge” for Ilia Topuria, according to Kyle Nelson | BJPenn.com

Arman Tsarukyan is someone who could present a tough test for Ilia Topuria according to a recently victorious UFC lightweight. Kyle Nelson is the fighter in question who thinks this and the former UFC featherweight introduced himself to the lightweight scene in a big way on UFC Vancouver.

‘The Monster’ was coming off a win against Matt Frevola this weekend, with Frevola being a former opponent of Arman Tsarukyan, someone who was set to challenge for the 155-pound title in January.

To touch on some aspects of this situation, Kyle Nelson has also previously fought Jai Herbert in the UFC, someone who many people believe gave current lightweight titleholder Ilia Topuria one of his tougher fights in the cage.

Arman Tsarukyan is “a big lightweight who might be able to carry his weight” Ilia Topuria, says Kyle Nelson

Taking into account all the above connections, when asked about his opinion on Ilia Topuria as the UFC Lightweight Champion now that Nelson is plying his trade as a 155er in the future, Kyle Nelson said [via MMA Canada],

“I mean, Ilia’s done a pretty good job. She’s taken out people you haven’t seen go unconscious yet, like Max Holloway, the [Alexander] Volkanovski fight. Again, I think everyone has already said this, but it might have been a little too soon after the knockout.”

“But you can’t deny his [Topuria’s] skills set. He’s gone there with guys like Bryce Mitchell… [Ryan] Hall, but he likes great jiu-jitsu guys and he holds his own. You haven’t really seen him wrestle yet. You didn’t see him get hit. So he is certain; I think we’ll see him at the top for a while.”

“And the biggest challenge I saw him face could be someone like Arman [Tsarukyan]just like a big lightweight that might put his weight on him. We were reluctant [Charles] Oliveira as they stood against the fence. It kind of looked like Oliveira might have some of the same size and strength as Topuria.

“So it will be interesting to see how someone like Arman puts Topuria in a position like that and see how he responds. But certainly in the striking, I mean, I don’t see anyone putting together the same crisp, clean boxing match with that knockout power.”