Arman Tsarukyan once thought fighting in the UFC was an unattainable dream.
Fast forward to now, and he faces Islam Makhachev in the main event of UFC 311 on January 18th at the Intuit Dome, leaving him less than a month away from a shot at gold in the world’s largest mixed martial arts promotion. Los Angeles.
The Octagon matchup became a reality shortly after Tsarukyan last fought on Russia’s regional circuit in August 2018. He shared the card with 2024 PFL Heavyweight Champion Denis Goltsov, UFC veteran Alexander Romanov, and former Bellator MMA light heavyweight titleholder Christian. Mpumbu and Tsarukyan won their 11th straight on the night, with Felipe Olivieri defeating the former UFC competitor with a third-round knockout.
After that fight, Tsarukyan recalled being told by his manager that he would be going to the UFC immediately. About eight months later, he was scheduled to make his Octagon debut against Makhachev.
“I was so excited because I was super young, 22 years old, and I wanted to win that fight,” Tsarukyan recently told ESPN. “This is the biggest dream of my life. When I was younger, the UFC meant so much to me. I thought it was impossible to get there. When I got there and started fighting, I realized that I was here. I knew he was a guy who could be a champion.”
In 2019, Makhachev was an intriguing lightweight talent who won five of his six UFC appearances, but it wasn’t yet clear what heights he would reach. Still, Dagestani was a difficult matchup for a fighter who made his UFC debut on short notice.
“I knew him well because he was Khabib.” [Nurmagomedov’s] My cousin, he fought in the UFC five or six times. We all watched his games and Khabib’s games,” Tsarukyan recalled. “…I was even more excited because in Russia everyone knows about him. [I remember
thinking] “It’s a good fight for me. If I beat him, people will talk about me.”
“I’ve always had confidence in myself. I 100% thought I could win. I’m a good wrestler, I’m a good striker, but I didn’t have good experience at that point. I didn’t have time to prepare for the fight. We weren’t good enough. We have about three weeks until the game. That’s not an excuse. We should be better in that game.”
Tsarukyan was certainly competitive in this bout, but ultimately dropped a unanimous decision to Makhachev at UFC Fight Night 149. Although it was not a controversial decision, the performance was beneficial to Tsarukyan in that it helped dispel any type of mystique. Otherwise, Makhachev might have done the same. While some may look at the current UFC lightweight champion and see him as a virtually unstoppable force on a 14-fight winning streak, Tsarukyan feels vulnerable.
“He’s not as good a player as people think,” Tsarukyan said. “People think he’s an invincible, crazy wrestler, but I beat him when I was 22.”
It may sound rude, but this speaks to the confidence Tsarukyan has, as he intends to give Makhachev plenty of respect.
“He’s the best in our division,” Tsarukyan said. “I think [it’s]
I’m the only one who can beat him now. this is the best [scenario]
Islam is the champion. ”
But Tsarukyan may have an ally in UFC CEO Dana White when it comes to the ongoing pound-for-pound debate.
“In my opinion he [Makhachev] Jon Jones is No. 1 for me,” Tsarukyan said. “But certainly in 155 he will be.” [the best]”
If Tsarukyan wins at UFC 311 as expected, he will be in the thick of the pound-for-pound debate. But that’s not the main motivation for the 28-year-old candidate.
“I don’t care about that. All I care about is the title,” he said. “No money, no nothing. No hype, followers. Just a title. This is what I want to get. Wake up. [thinking] About [the] title. fall asleep thinking [the] title. ”
