Islam Makhachev's coach: Arman Tsarukyan is Ilia Topuria's biggest threat at 155 pounds

Javier Mendez touts Arman Tsarukyan as the fighter who could pose Ilia Topuria the most problems at lightweight.

Topuria (17-0 MMA, 9-0 UFC) became the first undefeated fighter to claim titles in two divisions after knocking out Charles Oliveira to become lightweight champion in Saturday's UFC 317 main event at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Immediately after the fight, Topuria faced off with Paddy Pimblett, but Islam Makhachev's head coach thinks Tsarukyan could push the newly crowned champion in a way no one has before.

"I see Justin Gaethje potentially giving him some problems," Mendez told Submission Radio. "Arman Tsarukyan would be the one that, in my opinion, might give him the most problems because Arman's not going to stand with him. Arman's going to make it a grappling war, so it's going to be a war of attrition.

"Can Ilia survive the continuous ground attack that Arman's going to put on him? That would be the test. Can he do that? I don't know. Maybe he can. Look what he did to Charles. Charles came in for the takedown, he freaking switched it on him in midair. That was very impressive."

Despite Mendez's high praise of Topuria, during which he called him the best boxer in the UFC, he views welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena as a tougher fight for Makhachev (27-1 MMA, 16-1 UFC).

"JDM is the tougher one because of, No. 1, the size," Mendez said. "No. 2, he's good everywhere. If it was just boxing, then we don't have to worry as much because JDM's boxing is not as good as Topuria's. But overall, his kicking, his knees, his overall game is very good."

This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Islam Makhachev's coach: Arman Tsarukyan Ilia Topuria's sternest test