Podcast Summary

Episode Overview

Podcast: The Herd with Colin Cowherd
Episode: Daniel Cormier TV – DC ARGUES Ilia Topuria HAS TO FIGHT Arman Tsarukyan Next: "IT NEEDS TO HAPPEN"
Air Date: November 29, 2025
Main Theme:
Daniel Cormier (DC) passionately discusses why Ilia Topuria, UFC's champion, should defend his title against number one contender Arman Tsarukyan. DC breaks down the lightweight division's landscape, analyzes recent performances and resumes, and debates why this matchup is essential for the sport's legitimacy.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Arman Tsarukyan's Recent Dominance

• Tsarukyan's decisive win over Dan Hooker in Doha showcased his dominance and reaffirmed his status as the division's top contender.
• DC outlines Arman's journey:
  • Originally scheduled to fight Islam Makhachev for the title but pulled out due to injury (04:00).
  • Instead, weighs in as a backup for the Charles Oliveira vs. Ilia Topuria title fight, proving he can make weight and is committed.

Quote:
"He beat [Hooker] from pillar to post... really did reestablish himself as the number one contender." – Daniel Cormier [04:20]

2. Tsarukyan’s Resilience and the "Number One Contender" Debate

• DC notes that Tsarukyan could have waited for a title shot but chose to stay active, taking a high-risk, low-reward fight with Hooker (05:12).
• DC emphasizes MMA fans' tendency to downplay fighters like Hooker after a loss, but points out that Hooker had recently defeated Matheus Gamrot and defended takedowns effectively—until he met Arman.

Quote:
"It looked like on Saturday Dan Hooker had won so much above what he was supposed to win that he found himself in a place that he really didn't belong. The guy was just better. Arman beat him up. Arman beat him up, finished him." – Daniel Cormier [07:50]

3. Comparing Resumes: Tsarukyan vs. Paddy Pimblett

• DC argues that while Paddy Pimblett gained visibility by entering the Octagon with Topuria, his resume does not match Tsarukyan's.
• Tsarukyan has recent wins over top-tier fighters: Beneil Dariush, Charles Oliveira, Dan Hooker.
• Pimblett’s biggest win is over Michael Chandler, which DC respects but feels is not enough for a title shot compared to Arman’s run.

Quote:
"I don't know that Paddy, and he's great, has a resume that has earned him that title fight over Arman Tsarukyan... Arman has beaten Benil Dariush, Charles Oliveira, and Dan Hooker. Paddy hasn't lost, but Paddy beat Michael Chandler. So the resume doesn't match." – Daniel Cormier [09:20]

4. Why Topuria Should Fight Tsarukyan Next

• DC highlights the tension and natural rivalry between Topuria and Tsarukyan, and the "easy to build" narrative given their interactions and mutual dislike.
• Notes rumors that Topuria seems more interested in fighting Paddy Pimblett, potentially for commercial/hype reasons, but insists it’s not the sporting choice.

Quote:
"It is Arman. It is Arman versus Ilia. There really shouldn't be—there—we really shouldn't be discussing anything past Arman versus Ilia... in terms of a matchup, in terms of a fight, it's Ilia Topuria versus Arman Tsurukian. And it's not even questionable." – Daniel Cormier [10:30]

• DC addresses speculation about Topuria being "afraid," but believes that's not the case: Topuria has expressed willingness to move up in weight to fight Islam Makhachev, showing he is not ducking challenges (13:30).

Quote:
"It's hard to say that he's afraid of Arman Tsarukyan. But I still don't understand the answers. I don't know why we're getting this hesitancy from Topuria to fight Armen Tsarukyan. It needs to happen." – Daniel Cormier [14:05]

5. Final Call to Action

• DC asks the audience to weigh in on who deserves the shot: Tsarukyan or Pimblett.
• Emphasizes that it feels like a two-man race and that the sport's credibility depends on merit-based matchmaking.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Arman’s Progression:
  "Arman lost in 2022 versus Gamrot, but he's a different person. He's won five in a row. He has earned an opportunity to fight for the belt. I think Ilia should grant that." – Daniel Cormier [13:58]

• On the Marketability vs. Sporting Integrity Debate:
  "If it's going to be the first Paramount card, I get people would tune in because Paddy does garner a lot of attention. But in terms of a matchup, in terms of a fight, it's Ilia Topuria versus Arman Tsurukyan and it's not even questionable." – Daniel Cormier [10:40]

Timestamps for Major Segments

• [03:10] – Start of DC's analysis
• [04:00-07:00] – Arman Tsarukyan's recent fights, rise to contention, and DC's views on his resilience
• [08:00-09:30] – Comparing the resumes of Tsarukyan and Pimblett
• [10:30-13:00] – The case for Tsarukyan vs. Topuria as the next championship fight, and rivalry narrative
• [13:30-14:15] – Addressing Topuria’s intentions and the logic of matchmaking
• [14:20] – Final thoughts and call for listener engagement

Summary

This episode of The Herd, featuring Daniel Cormier, delivers a passionate case for why Arman Tsarukyan is unequivocally the next challenger for Ilia Topuria’s UFC title. DC meticulously breaks down Tsarukyan’s journey, highlights recent dominant performances, and directly contrasts the competitiveness of contender resumes. He critiques the promotion’s temptation to make commercial matchups over sporting merit, calling for the sport's integrity to be upheld by booking Topuria vs. Tsarukyan. The episode finishes with a direct appeal to listeners, inviting their opinions on who should fight for the title and reiterating the importance of rightful challengers in modern MMA.