Arman Tsarukyan is waiting for the right time to step back into the cage with Islam Makhachev.
Tsarukyan picked up the biggest win of his career at UFC 300 last Saturday, leading to mixed reviews of former lightweight champion Charles Oliveira to potentially set up a matchup with current champion Makhachev. The match between Tsarukyan and Makhachev will be the second time the two have shared the Octagon, with Makhachev defeating the then-debuting Tsarukyan in April 2019.
On The MMA Hour, Tsarukyan was asked if he would be willing to fight Makhachev at UFC 302 on June 1st, but he admitted he declined.
“That’s true,” Tsarukyan said. “As soon as you leave the octagon, [UFC COO Hunter Campell] He came and said, “June 1st. I’m a Muslim.” I said I had to think about it. I think it was about 7 weeks [away], you can’t jump very fast, so you need to rest a little and camp. If it was the end of June, I would go into that fight because I would have at least 10 weeks, which means two weeks of rest and eight weeks of preparation.
“Why should I take the same risk as the first game? It’s the same thing, I’ll let you know on short notice. I want to get ready and have a good training camp. If I’m the number one candidate If so, why should I take the risk? [only] When I got into the top 10, someone said, “Can you fight on June 1st for seven weeks?” Of course I will accept it. But I just beat a former champion and Hall of Fame fighter, and that doesn’t mean anything. ”
Instead, it was announced on Saturday that Makhachev would fight Dustin Poirier in the main event of UFC 302. ‘The Diamond’ has won and lost his last five fights, with recent victories over Conor McGregor, Michael Chandler and Benoit Saint-Denis.
Tsarukyan has been one of the hottest fighters in the lightweight division since his loss to Makhachev, going 9-1, with his only setback being a close split decision loss to Mateusz Gamrot. When the UFC decided to reward his efforts, he had a hard time turning down the title fight offer.
“It was difficult to say no,” Tsarukyan said. “It was difficult to say no, but I know that next time I’ll be fighting the winner for the title.” [Makhachev vs. Poirier] Fight. “
Tsarukyan added that he understands the matchmakers want him to face the winner of the main event of UFC 302.
Tsarukyan is currently training with Poirier at American Top Team in Florida, and while he would have no problem facing his teammate if they were to compete for the title, Poirier is also I don’t know if I feel it or not. He’s sure he’ll have no problem getting Makhachev to sign on the dotted line.
If Tsarukyan had to choose his next opponent, it would definitely be Makhachev.
“It’s a difficult question because Poirier, he’s my teammate and Islam, the guy I want to beat more than I can even imagine,” Tsarukian said. “Firstly, he has the title, and secondly, it’s a rematch. For me, that fight makes sense. Without a doubt, I think the winner will be Islam Makhachev.
“But I’m not going to support anyone there, I’m just going to go out and see a good fight. Poirier is good. He’s in good shape and can knock people out easily. Islam If he makes a small mistake, Poirier will knock him out. He has a very powerful punch.”
