Arman Tsarukyan has picked a blockbuster matchup when asked which retired UFC fighter he would like to see return to the Octagon. The lightweight contender named former UFC champion Khabib Nurmagomedov and suggested a fight against another all-time great, Georges St-Pierre. The idea would bring together two legendary champions from different generations.Both fighters built their careers around elite wrestling, discipline and control. A matchup between them has long been discussed by MMA fans as one of the biggest “what-if” fights in UFC history.
Arman Tsarukyan picks Khabib Nurmagomedov vs Georges St-Pierre for dream UFC bout
Arman Tsarukyan was asked which retired UFC fighter he would want to see return and who that fighter should face.His answer was Khabib Nurmagomedov.The former lightweight champion retired from MMA with a perfect 29-0 record. He walked away from the sport after defeating Justin Gaethje at UFC 254 in 2020.Tsarukyan believes a return against Georges St-Pierre would be the ideal matchup.GSP also finished his career as one of the most successful champions in UFC history. The Canadian retired with a 26-2 record. He won the UFC welterweight title twice and later became a two-division champion after defeating Michael Bisping for the middleweight belt.The matchup would be fascinating because both fighters relied heavily on wrestling, but their approaches were different.Khabib was known for constant forward pressure. He would push opponents toward the cage before connecting takedowns and controlling them on the ground. His chain wrestling allowed him to keep attacking even when his first takedown attempt failed.GSP used a more distance-based approach. His jab, movement and timing helped him control where fights took place. He was also known for his reactive double-leg takedowns.There would also be a major physical question.Both fighters were listed at 5-foot-10, but GSP had a 76-inch reach compared with Khabib’s 70 inches. That six-inch difference could have played an important role in a hypothetical fight.Khabib competed most of his career at lightweight. GSP spent the majority of his UFC career at welterweight before moving up to middleweight for his final UFC fight.A catchweight would therefore be one possible solution for the fantasy matchup. However, the fighters’ different weight-class histories make the exact conditions difficult to determine.The biggest tactical question would be whether Khabib could close the distance and establish his wrestling against GSP.If GSP controlled the range, his jab and movement could make it difficult for Khabib to enter safely. If Khabib managed to pressure him toward the fence, his wrestling and ground control could become a major factor.Meanwhile, Tsarukyan has his own major challenge ahead.He will face Mauricio Ruffy in the five-round co-main event at UFC 331. Tsarukyan is entering the bout on a five-fight winning streak, while Ruffy has built momentum with his powerful striking. Tsarukyan has also predicted a third-round TKO win via elbows on the ground.A victory could put Tsarukyan in position for another lightweight title opportunity.
