Undisputed light-weight champion, Islam Makhachev is closing as a major betting favourite to show in his second profession win over incoming title challenger, Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 311 this weekend — because the pound-for-pound kingpin appears to defend his crown for a fourth time.
Makhachev, the present undisputed light-weight champion, returns to motion this weekend in Inglewood, California — taking over Armenian challenger, Tsarukyan in a re-run of their first pairing again in 2019.
Sidelined since final June, Makahchev most just lately headlined UFC 302, efficiently defending his 155lbs crown for the third time consecutively with a fifth spherical D’Arce choke submission win over former interim gold holder, Dustin Poirier.
Islam Makhachev closing as betting favourite to beat Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 311
And simply days out from the matchup, Islam Makhachev is closing as an fascinating -325 betting favourite to beat the +265 betting underdog, Arman Tsarukyan — with one of the best odds out there on the hyperlink supplied whether or not you’re betting on this title battle or testing the Premier League odds forward of an enormous weekend of sport.
Himself sidelined since UFC 300 final April, Tsarukyan most just lately featured in an officially-billed title eliminator with common-foe and former champion, Charles Oliveira, delivering a controversial win.
Forcing the prolific Sao Paulo finisher the space over the course of three rounds in a championship challenger decider, Tsarukyan would rack up an in depth, debated cut up choice success.
Forward of the pairing, Islam Makhachev and Arman Tsarukyan have shared a slightly cordial narrative forward of their pairing, nonetheless, this week, the strain was raised a tad by the Russian, who poked enjoyable at his incoming foe’s failure to cease Oliveira as promised within the first spherical — notably after he claimed he had a “secret” method to make the most of this weekend at UFC 311.
“Man, I instructed you don’t imagine what Arman (Tsarukyan) says,” Islam Makhachev stated Wednesday at UFC 311 media day. “As a result of final time, he stated (he) will end (Charles) Oliveira in a single spherical, however they go all distance, and he received by cut up choice. That’s why don’t imagine him.”
Moreover, Makhachev claimed that whereas he doesn’t imagine Tsarukyan will present his most tough title problem up to now — in a bout he claims might be “simple” for him, he maintains he can’t afford to relaxation on his laurels towards him.
“If I give him an opportunity to work, he’s going to be harmful,” Islam Makhachev defined. “He’s going to be powerful battle, however all the guys who I fought misplaced 5 instances. I don’t know, they all the time harmful. Oliveira, probably the most harmful guys in our division.
“What number of submissions, what number of knockouts he has? Volkanovski, one of many hardest guys in our sport. It’s MMA. All fighters, contenders, while you battle for the title, are all harmful. If I allow them to work, it’s going to be a troublesome battle, but when I can comply with my plan, it’s going to be simple inshallah.”
Earlier than his UFC 311 headliner, Makahchev and Tsarukyan will come after a title grudge battle between undisputed bantamweight champion, Merab Dvalishvili, and unbeaten challenger, Umar Nurmagomedov.
