UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev is set to face Arman Tsarukyan in his fourth title defence at the UFC 311.
The fighters first clashed in 2019, where Makhachev won via unanimous decision, but many regarded the battle as one of the toughest the fighter has been in. The bout was Tsarkyan’s UFC debut, and many believe the fighter has earned a second shot at the title.
In an interview with Daniel Cormier, Makhachev spoke about his former opponent and how challenging their earlier battle was.
“The first fight, I don’t know his background,” Makhachev said. “He defends my wrestling, he’s tough, that’s why he gave me a hard time. But now I know everything that he can do. … Charles, every round, almost finished [Tsarukyan]. Do some guillotine, do some triangle choke, everything very close, but I think I have more chance.”
“[Tsarukyan] was one of the hardest fights, of course, but it’s not the toughest fight because the five rounds with Volkanovski, it was crazy,” Makhachev said. “It was heart rate more than 200, it’s called, you know? But maybe I was underestimating [Tsarukyan] because he was short notice, nobody knows him, and he doesn’t have a name. I never watched his fight and he did well in that fight, but I like to finish the old questions.
Although Tsarukyan made his UFC debut recently, the fighter has been in the MMA game for quite a while. The fighter has had an impressive record and has only suffered two losses in his career, one from Mateusz Gamrot and Islam Makhachev. The fighter has faced off against tough opponents like Charles Oliveira, and Beneil is currently regarded as Makhachev’s most formidable opponent.
Makhachev denied the rumours and said his greatest battle was against Alexander Volkanovski. He says the fight with Makhachev was a learning experience, and he learned alot to face the fighter in their rematch.
“Of course, improved, he has more experience, but same skills,” Makhachev said on ESPN. “He beat all the guys because they don’t have wrestling, but when someone has good wrestling skills, he always has trouble. With [Mateusz] Gamrot, with me, and it’s going to be again. He has good wrestling skills, but if somebody defends, they have problems.”
“When I have the fight with Volkanovski, I told everybody I have to finish the questions and finish. That’s why, the second fight, I will be looking for the finish and make everybody shut up.”
