American Top Team coach Marcos "Parrumpa" da Matta worked hard last Saturday at UFC Qatar, where two of his three athletes won their fights by submission.
"Let's say it was an almost perfect night with Arman [Tsarukyan] and [Kyoji] Horiguchi finishing, but unfortunately [Bekzat] Almakhan ended up losing by decision to Topuria's brother," Parrumpa said in an interview with Sherdog, a few hours after returning home in Florida.
After Tsarukyan's dominant victory, the Carlson Gracie black belt sees no other path for the Russian than the belt.
"Whether from a sporting or meritocratic point of view, I think only Topuria makes sense.