TORONTO – Arman Tsarukyan’s coach sees former UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira as a massive threat.
Tsarukyan (21-3 MMA, 8-2 UFC) faces Oliveira (34-9 MMA, 22-9 UFC) at UFC 300 on April 13 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas in what UFC CEO Dana White has labeled a No. 1 contender fight.
If Tsarukyan can beat Oliveira, he will earn a rematch with UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev, who beat him in his promotional debut. Marcos “Parrumpa” DaMatta, who will be in Tsarukyan’s corner, believes Oliveira is even more dangerous than Makhachev.
“We don’t have a title shot, yes, but we have a legend,” DaMatta told MMA Junkie. “A guy that’s in my opinion more dangerous than Islam because he’s dangerous everywhere. He’s a good striker, he’s an amazing jiu-jitsu guy. In my opinion, he’s probably the best finisher in UFC history ahead of Royce (Gracie), ahead of Demian (Maia). So, we respect him a lot. We know we’re up for a tough task, but I believe that Arman has the will.”
Oliveira is the UFC’s all-time leader in finishes. “Parrumpa” thinks Tsarukyan needs to have a standout performance to leave no doubt that he’s next in line for the title.
“The game plan is to be complete,” DaMatta said. “The game plan for Charles has to be complete. I’m not going to lie to you. There’s a few things that we think we’re better at, and we’re going to try and put that in our strategy.
“To get a finish will be a statement to make sure that no one doubts that he’s No. 1 contender because Gaethje lost to Charles. If we go there and finish Charles or even beating Charles, I think there’s no way that they’re going to give the title shot to Gaethje before Arman.”
Makhachev wasn’t afraid to tussle on the ground with Oliveira when he submitted him in their title fight at UFC 280, and DaMatta expects Tsarukyan to have the same confidence.
“If Arman gets the chance to knock him down or take him down, he’s going to take advantage of it,” DaMatta said. “He’s not going to be afraid or step back up. No way. He’s going to go in there, be smart about it, don’t play jiu-jitsu with him. Play MMA with him.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 300.
