Israel Adesanya envisions plenty of grappling exchanges in the UFC 311 headliner.
Islam Makhachev (26-1 MMA, 15-1 UFC) defends his lightweight title in a rematch against Arman Tsarukyan (22-3 MMA, 9-2 UFC) in Saturday’s main event (pay-per-view, ESPNews/Disney+, ESPN+) at Intuit Dome.
Both Makhachev and Tsarukyan are elite grapplers, but Adesanya doesn’t think their games will cancel out. Just like their first fight in April 2019, where Makhachev outlasted Tsarukyan, Adesanya expects the two to lean on their strong wrestling bases.
“This is going to be a wrestling fight,” Adesanya said on his YouTube channel. “This is going to be WrestleMania. I think they are going to have to test each other’s wrestling because they’re that good. I don’t think it’s just going to cancel each other out. … Even though we are going Islam, I still think Arman has a dog in this fight.
“I just feel like sometimes, some people, when it comes to that moment, they take it, and Arman, I don’t think he’s going to shy away from this. He’s used to the spotlight. Islam has definitely lived in this moment, main event, all that stuff.”
Adesanya ultimately picked the more experienced five-round fighter in Makhachev to win.
“In this fight, I’m going to go Islam just because he’s on a roll right now,” Adesanya said. “He just seems to be getting better and better and better. Arman is doing the same, as well. I was very impressed with his last fight and the way he handles the spotlight and everything.
“I just don’t think it’s going to be enough to take on Makhachev. Round 5, late submission (win for Makhachev). That defense against Charles ‘Do Bronx’ (Oliveira) was really slick, but when he’s tired, that’s what I am banking on. I just know Islam can definitely get the steam rolling.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 311.
