Arman Tsarukyan told UFC legend is perfect template for him to adopt if he wants to hit next level in his career

UFC star Arman Tsarukyan has everything that it takes to climb to the top of the ladder at Dana White’s MMA promotion after his impact inside the octagon so far

That is according to UFC fighter Israel Adesanya, who told Demetrious Johnson how Arman Tsarukyan can overcome Justin Gaethje in a potential title fight.

Tsarukyan is tipped as a future opponent for UFC lightweight champion Justin Gaethje after he picked up his sixth consecutive win in the octagon.

The 29-year-old Armenian and Russian MMA star fought at the weekend in Las Vegas and Tsarukyan sealed a stunning win over Mauricio Ruffy at UFC 331.

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Israel Adesanya says Khabib Nurmagomedov has already shown Arman Tsarukyan how to beat Justin Gaethje

Arman Tsarukyan knocked out Mauricio Ruffy with a flurry of elbow strikes in the first round of their UFC 331 clash at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Saturday.

Justin Gaethje has not returned to action since he won the UFC lightweight championship after his stunning victory over Ilia Topuria at UFC Freedom 250.

The 37-year-old American UFC fighter picked up injuries in both hands after his hard-fought encounter with Ilia Topuria at the White House in June.

Speaking on the Precision podcast, Israel Adesanya explained that UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov has provided the blueprint on how to defeat Gaethje.

“If Arman wants to win against Gaethje, he’s gotta wrestle like Khabib,” he told Demetrious Johnson.

“Do pretty much what Khabib did.”

Khabib Nurmagomedov’s last fight in the octagon came against Justin Gaethje and the undefeated Russian former UFC star defended the lightweight championship.

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Israel Adesanya thinks Justin Gaethje’s ‘technical chaos’ can be undone by Arman Tsarukyan’s grappling

Justin Gaethje lasted only two rounds at UFC 254 in 2020 before Khabib Nurmagomedov locked in a triangle chokehold and secured a submission win.

Despite capturing the UFC lightweight title from the once-undefeated Ilia Topuria, Gaethje did not receive the backing of Adesanya in a potential fight with Tsarukyan.

“I see technical chaos from Justin,” Adesanya explained.

“Arman’s just gonna grapple. He has to do what he did to Ruffy, but even better.”

Gaethje could be sidelined for the rest of 2026 and the ‘Highlight’ could be forced to wait until 2027 to make his return to the octagon to defend his lightweight crown.