Arman Tsarukyan

Arman Tsarukyan is one of the very best lightweights in the world not yet to hold a title. He announced himself in his 2019 UFC debut by pushing Islam Makhachev to a razor-thin decision, then built one of the deepest resumes in the division on the back of elite, smothering wrestling.

Unlike many grapplers, Tsarukyan fights with an aggressive, attacking mindset and steadily improving striking, chaining takedowns while pressing forward. He's beaten a murderer's row of contenders - Charles Oliveira, Beneil Dariush, Dan Hooker - to firmly establish himself as a number-one contender at 155 pounds.

For new fans, Tsarukyan is essential viewing in a stacked lightweight division: a complete, dominant fighter on the doorstep of a title shot. Watch him for high-level wrestling applied with unusual aggression, and for the very real chance you're seeing a future champion in his prime.