Arman Tsarukyan expects to see Islam Makhachev again after UFC 311.
Tsarukyan (22-3 MMA, 9-2 UFC) runs things back with lightweight champion Makhachev (26-1 MMA, 15-1 UFC) in Saturday’s headliner from Intuit Dome in Inglewood, Calif., which airs on ESPN+ pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and ESPN+.
With Charles Oliveira being the only top -five UFC lightweight coming off of a win, he’s projected to be next in line for a title shot. However, if Tsarukyan is able to dethrone Makhachev, he’d opt for a rubber match over a rematch with Oliveira.
“With Islam, of course, this is the best fight that I can have, you know,” Tsarukyan told CBS Sports. “In Russian, we say when you shoot, you kill two rabbits in one shot, you know? Rematch and the title fight. You know, it’s not just a rematch.”
Tsarukyan edged out Oliveira at UFC 300 to become No. 1 contender. He explains why his fight against Makhachev is the best matchup the UFC can offer.
“Right now, we are one of the best lightweights,” Tsarukyan recently told MMA Junkie. “I’m No. 1, he’s the champion, and this fight is not just Islam vs. Oliveira. Oliveira knows very well grappling and striking, but he doesn’t know how to wrestle. I am so well-rounded, and I know how to wrestle, grapple, and he knows as well. So, it’s going to be such an interesting fight. If I was a fan, I would like to watch my fight.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 311.
