LOS ANGELES – Arman Tsarukyan let the cat out of the bag this week when, in an interview on the “Pound for Pound” podcast, he teased a “secret technique” ahead of his lightweight title fight with Islam Makhachev.
Now people can’t stop asking him about it.
That continued Wednesday during UFC 311 media day, but Tsarukyan continued to play things close to the vest.
“Everybody asking, ‘Tell me your secret technique.’ How can I tell you?” Tsarukyan said. “OK, high kick is what I’m saying to everybody. I don’t know, I shouldn’t say that secret technique. Everybody is asking the same question: ‘What is the secret technique?’ It doesn’t make sense to ask that question. It’s a high kick, guys.”
Of course, it’s very unlikely that the secret technique is just your everyday high kick. Whatever it is, though, Tsarukyan (22-3 MMA, 9-2 UFC) promises it’ll be new to fight fans.
“The technique, I’ve never seen in the UFC – in the highlights, as well,” Tsarukyan said. “That technique, you’re gonna say, ‘Oh wow, what is that?’ … It’s gonna work if I throw it.”
With the idea of a secret technique out in the open, it stands to reason that the move is part of Tsarukyan’s game plan, which is a focus heading into the biggest fight of his career.
During his 2019 unanimous decision loss to Makhachev (26-1 MMA, 15-1 UFC), Tsarukyan admits he got away from his game plan. He promises to be smarter and listen to his corner this time around.
“Sometimes I believe in myself too much,” Tsarukyan said. “When someone say don’t do that, I want to do that. I don’t know why. Even at home, if someone tell me to do something, I just want to do the opposite. This time, to get the belt, I’ve got to listen to my corner very well. I have a game plan, and I have to keep listening.”
UFC 311 (pay-per-view, ESPNews/Disney+, ESPN+) takes place Saturday at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, Calif. The card is headlined by the rematch between Makhachev and Tsarukyan.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 311.
