Bisping: Gaethje-Tsarukyan Title Fight Coming by Year's End

Michael Bisping predicts Justin Gaethje will defend the UFC lightweight title against Arman Tsarukyan, saying an announcement could land within the next couple of months or by the end of 2026.

Gaethje has held the belt since knocking out Ilia Topuria, and he has made no official move toward a first defense. Bisping, breaking it down on his show, argued the champion has quietly settled the field for himself. "Arman Tsarukyan is now undeniable," Bisping said, adding that he expects Paddy Pimblett to fight Topuria while Gaethje waits on Tsarukyan. Asked how many fights Gaethje has left in him, Bisping wasn't sure, saying it "might be one more" or "two or three more," but he landed on one clear projection: "I've got a pretty good feeling that within the next couple of months or certainly by the end of the year, we will get an announcement that Justin Gaethje will be fighting Arman Tsarukyan for the undisputed lightweight championship of the world."

Why Tsarukyan Makes More Sense Than Topuria or Pimblett Right Now

Tsarukyan has done everything possible to force the issue. He is unbeaten across his last several outings and has been the most consistent name at 155 pounds not currently holding gold. A rematch with Topuria still has obvious appeal given how the first fight ended, and Pimblett has never hidden his interest in a second crack at Gaethje. But Bisping's read lines up with where the division's business logic points: Tsarukyan hasn't lost, has nothing left to prove at contender level, and a title shot is the only fight that makes sense for him next.

Betting Angle

The market has already made its lean clear. Sportsbooks currently have Tsarukyan sitting as a heavy favorite over Gaethje, with lines in the range of -450 for Tsarukyan against +350 for the champion, implying bettors expect the challenger to be the one walking out with the belt if the fight happens. That's a striking number given Gaethje is the reigning champion coming off a statement win over Topuria, and it reflects how dominant Tsarukyan has looked in recent performances. If Gaethje versus Tsarukyan does get finalized in the coming weeks, expect that gap to be one of the more heavily bet lines in the division, and expect it to move as fight week approaches and fans weigh Gaethje's power and experience against Tsarukyan's wrestling and volume.

Nothing is official yet. Gaethje hasn't confirmed an opponent or a timeline, and the UFC hasn't made an announcement. But the pieces Bisping laid out, an unbeaten Tsarukyan with no fights left to take, a champion in no rush, and a division waiting on him, point toward this fight getting made before the calendar turns.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who does Michael Bisping think Justin Gaethje will fight next?

Michael Bisping predicts UFC lightweight champion Justin Gaethje will fight Arman Tsarukyan for the undisputed lightweight title, with an announcement possibly coming by the end of 2026.

What are the current odds for Justin Gaethje vs Arman Tsarukyan?

Sportsbooks currently list Arman Tsarukyan as a heavy favorite over Justin Gaethje, with lines around -450 for Tsarukyan and +350 for Gaethje.

Is Justin Gaethje vs Arman Tsarukyan an official fight?

No official announcement has been made. Justin Gaethje has not confirmed his next opponent or a timeline for his first lightweight title defense.