Ahead of UFC 311 next month, Arman Tsarukyan (22-3 MMA, 9-2 UFC) sat down with ESPN’s Brett Okamoto to discuss his upcoming match with the 155-lb champion Islam Makhachev (26-1 MMA, 15-1 UFC).
First PPV of 2025 is a BANGER 🔥@MAKHACHEVMMA vs @ArmanUFC 2@MerabDvalishvil vs @UNmgdv #UFC311 at the @IntuitDome | 🎟️: https://t.co/dX45J0Cwpw pic.twitter.com/QE3Evz1uQr
— UFC (@ufc) December 5, 2024
The pairing will mark the second time these two have ever shared the cage since their initial meeting back in April 2019 at UFC on ESPN+ 7.
Arman Tsarukyan Turned Back in UFC Promotional Debut
There, Arman Tsarukyan made his promotional debut against the Dagestani in what some pundits are calling the toughest test of Makhachev’s career. Ultimately, however, Tsarukyan would fall to his fellow European by unanimous decision.
Following the defeat, “Ahalkalakets” embarked on a five-fight win streak that saw him make it all the way into the lightweight top 15, which included victories over the likes of future PFL champion Olivier Aubin-Mercier, Matt Frevola, and Joel Alvarez. ‘
This win streak ended up being halted, though, after Arman Tsarukyan took on Mateusz Gamrot in his first ever main event bout, losing to the Pole by unanimous decision.
Since his latest loss, the Armenian native has looked incredible in his recent Octagon appearances, winning his next four contests in a row over Damir Ismagulov, Joaquim Silva, Beneil Dariush, and Charles Oliveira.
Arman Tsarukyan Praises Makhachev, Believes He Can Conquer Champion
After suffering the first loss of his career to Adriano Martins back in 2015, Islam Makhachev has risen all the way to the top of the UFC lightweight mountain, logging a stellar 14 fight win streak (the longest of its kind in his division’s history).
He also has defended his belt a total of three times, becoming only the fifth fighter to do so at 155-lb. Despite this list of impressive accolades, Tsarukyan wholeheartedly believes he has the skills to take out Makhachev, though he still gives the champion his flowers.
“Yeah, he’s the best in our division, and I think it’s just me who can beat him right now,” Arman Tsarukyan said. He further went on to elaborate how the seemingly untouchable Russian isn’t as untouchable as pundits have made him out to be over the course of his ascension to titleholder.
“He’s not that good like people think,” he continued. “People think he’s unbeatable and crazy wrestling, but I took him down when I was 22 years old.”
Arman Tsarukyan Talks Gameplan For Rematch with Makhachev
When it comes to competing in high-stakes world title matches, having a solid game plan is always essential. For Arman Tsarukyan, his will revolve around one simple concept: throw Makhachev off his own gameplan.
“I think when like gameplan, when you got hard punch, you forget about gameplan,” Arman Tsarukyan said. “If I hurt him very well, he’s going to forget about gameplan. Same as me when Oliveira was trying to choke me, after that moment, my gameplan was gone. So, I don’t even remember what was my game plan even. So, that’s why I got to hurt him really hard in the first round and then it doesn’t matter what game plan they have.”
For the hard-hitting Armenian, landing a strong blow early wouldn’t be too far out of the question, as Tsarukyan has won four out of his past seven fights by knockout. Although, with his range-centered kickboxing style and masterful counter wrestling, Islam Makhachev will surely prove to be a difficult target to hit for “Ahalkalakets.”
