Arman Tsarukyan is prepared for his Islam Makhachev rematch.
UFC 302 is within the rear-view mirror and was capped off by one other profitable title protection for Light-weight champion, Makhachev. In the principle occasion, the Russian titleholder scored the seventh end in his final eight fights (5 submissions, two knockouts) when he submitted Dustin Poirier with a fifth spherical d’arce choke (watch highlights) this previous weekend (June 1, 2024).
Initially, the headliner spot was supplied to the surging Tsarukyan after he solidified himself because the No. 1 Light-weight contender with a break up resolution win over Charles Oliveira at UFC 300 final month (April 13, 2024). Unable to make the turnaround in time, which led to Poirier getting the struggle, Tsarukyan believes he’d have had no hassle beating the model of the champion who fought in opposition to his American Prime Workforce (ATT) teammate.
“It could be very straightforward struggle for me,” Tsarukyan mentioned on The MMA Hour. “I might outwrestle him [in] that struggle as effectively as a result of he obtained drained. Once you’re drained, you’ll be able to’t do s—t. Even you probably have one of the best abilities on the earth, for those who’re drained, you’re executed.”
Makhachev, 32, isn’t thrilled in regards to the concept of a rematch with Tsarukyan after beating him by way of unanimous resolution in April 2019. The champion ideally desires to problem for Welterweight gold sooner moderately than later, however will face Tsarukyan if supplied by the promotion.
One other dream of Makhachev’s is to struggle in Madison Sq. Backyard at considered one of UFC’s New York Metropolis showcases in November. Conscious of the venue’s historical past, Tsarukyan likes that location and date for his or her sequel.
As for Poirier’s success within the Makhachev struggle earlier than the ending sequence, Tsarukyan anticipated as a lot.
“I wasn’t [surprised],” Tsarukyan mentioned. “I knew [his] coronary heart [is] excellent and I advised everyone it’s like 60/40. All people discuss like, ‘Oh, Islam gonna win him, one hundred pc. He’s not gonna give him any probability,’ however I knew it’s gonna be robust struggle. Dustin, he’s a canine, so I wasn’t — his defensive wrestling was tremendous good and Islam couldn’t choke him. When he obtained drained within the fifth spherical, yeah, he obtained him.
“It wasn’t his greatest efficiency,” he continued about Makhachev. “He obtained drained and he was sluggish. I really feel like Islam doesn’t have excellent conditioning or perhaps he obtained sick or no matter. I’m not judging him due to his final struggle, I gotta watch all his fights and take him critical. He’s No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter. I’m simply gonna put together prefer it’s greatest model of Islam Makhachev. Not underestimate him. Dustin can defend his wrestling, I’m going to defend as effectively.”
For full UFC 302 outcomes and play-by-play click on right here.
