Arman Tsarukyan made a resounding statement in the lightweight division with a stunning first-round knockout victory over Beneil Dariush at the UFC Austin main event. The win showcased Tsarukyan's potential as a top contender in the division and served notice to the entire MMA world.

Long hailed as a prospect destined for title contention, Tsarukyan had been eagerly awaiting an opportunity to prove himself against a formidable opponent. That opportunity finally came when Tsarukyan stepped into the octagon with Dariush, and he certainly seized it with both hands.

From the moment the fight began, Tsarukyan exuded supreme confidence as he engaged in striking exchanges with Dariush. The decisive blow came when Tsarukyan landed a knee that narrowly missed its target, followed by a powerful right hand that forcefully snapped Dariush's head, sending him crashing to the canvas. Tsarukyan wasted no time and quickly followed up with a barrage of shots until the referee intervened and stopped the fight.

Reflecting on his victory, Tsarukyan expressed his pre-fight expectation of securing a knockout. "I was expecting a knockout," he stated. "I told you, I don't want to win a decision. I just wanted to perform very well, knock him out, go home and get a title fight."

Even in defeat, Tsarukyan praised Dariush as one of the most respectful fighters in their division. He acknowledged that few top-ranked fighters were willing to face him, with Dariush being the only one to accept the challenge. This victory solidifies Tsarukyan's position as a force to be reckoned with in the lightweight division.

Having now won three consecutive fights, Tsarukyan is poised to climb the rankings and make a strong case for a title shot. He expressed his desire for a rematch with current UFC lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev, whom he faced in his octagon debut back in 2019.

"Hopefully, the next fight is going to be for the belt," Tsarukyan proclaimed confidently. "If not, it doesn't matter, one more fight. I'm going to be a champion, trust me guys."

Notably, Tsarukyan acknowledged the evolution in his skills since his first encounter with Makhachev. "We fought four years ago when I was 22 years old. Now, I'm 27. I've improved, and the next fight is going to be a different one. I'm going to knock him out. That's it."

With his remarkable knockout win over Dariush, Arman Tsarukyan has firmly stamped his mark on the UFC lightweight division. Only time will tell if he can fulfill his aspirations of dethroning Makhachev and capturing the coveted lightweight championship.