Arman Tsarukyan didn’t just come back at UFC Qatar. He made a statement, like a warrior who had been quietly sharpening his sword for months. Earlier this year, he was scheduled to fight Islam Makhachev at UFC 311, but withdrew at the last minute due to a back injury, a very hard blow for a contender who was largely touted as the answer to Islam Makhachev’s dominance.

To come back against Dan Hooker and handle him the way he did speaks to the absolute dominance and elite fighting skills of the Armenian fighter. As such, his performance didn’t go unnoticed by one of the sport’s greats, Georges St-Pierre, who wasted no time in placing him over legends like Jon Jones and Alex Pereira.

GSP breaks down his current UFC pound-for-pound elite on Adin Ross’ stream

The appearance of GSP on Adin Ross’ stream was one of those instances where the MMA world’s elite mingled with the internet’s chaotic side. On one side, the legendary welterweight GOAT Georges St-Pierre, in his calm, clean-cut. On the other hand, Adin, one of the faces of Gen-Z streaming culture. Naturally, the conversation veered right to MMA.

Adin Ross could not avoid asking the classic fan question, “Who’s your top five pound-for-pound right now in the UFC?” To which, GSP didn’t mince words: “Well, I think Islam Makhachev is indeed the number one. Arman Tsarukyan is also one of the best contenders. He exhibited superb skills in his last fight. He was excellent. And of course, Jon Jones is still there. I think so.”

“You still include Jon in your top five?” Ross then asked, to which GSP responded: “He should be there because of his past achievements. You never know, he was away for a long while, returned, and defeated Stipe. There is a rumor about him being the one to take on Pereira at the White House, right? Pereira. That would be something to watch. Pereira is among the best right now. On paper, you have to consider him the winner. That would be a great fight.”

These were not trivial remarks. GSP was visibly dissecting resumes, current situation, and talents in a manner that only a former champion with a black-belt intellect could. To receive high praise from a certified legend of the sport and be placed in the same conversation as Jon Jones and Alex Pereira is no small feat. And Tsarukyan knows it too, as he’s extremely confident about beating the lightweight champion.

Arman Tsarukyan turns up the heat, calls out Ilia Topuria after UFC Qatar domination

UFC Qatar saw Arman Tsarukyan enter the arena, attempting to look unaffected by the Ilia Topuria hype. But when he subbed Hooker, the disguise was removed. Throughout the fight week, he seemed unbothered, easily brushing off inquiries about the champion and keeping his focus on Hooker. The instant he pulled off the submission in the second round, he made his case clear. He wanted the lightweight champ next.

Tsarukyan was open about his strategy and his self-assuredness.“I didn’t want to mention Ilia because I was focused on my fight,” he said afterward. “After today, I’m going to create some crazy videos, make a joke, bring a lot of eyes. It’s a media sport. You’ve got to be a good fighter and a good showman.”

Then he got straight to the point: “I believe in myself and I know I can beat him so easy. When he wants to box me and throw his hard punch, I’m going to shoot and take him down.”

Tsarukyan, notwithstanding stating that there is “nothing personal,” still showed his competitive spirit. He even confessed that if he had recognized Topuria during fight week, he would have tried looking into his eyes – not to pick a fight, but to make the confrontation real. At this moment, he has no injuries and is supported by the momentum to demand January as his fighting month. “I can rest one week, fly to the U.S., and stay there for two months. Plenty of time to get ready.”

Tsarukyan wants the belt, the stage, the smoke; all of it. After Qatar, it’s hard to argue that he hasn’t earned his shot.