Arman Tsarukyan reflected on the immediate aftermath of his first showdown against current UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev.
Arman Tsarukyan gave UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev one of his toughest tests as both were newcomers in April 2019. Almost exactly six years after their first clash, Tsarukyan will look to dethrone Makhachev at UFC 311 later this month.
Tsarukyan has repeatedly talked about what went wrong in his unanimous decision loss to Makhachev in their first fight. Ahead of UFC 311, Tsarukyan is teasing a renewed approach to Makhachev's puzzle, highlighting some of the mistakes he's made.
While Tsarukyan Makhachev expertly trolled for UFC 311 and brought one of the UFC champion's former foes into his camp, there is a lot of mutual respect between the two sides. After their three-round war in 2019, Makhachev hinted that he would face Tsarukyan again later in their careers.
Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC
Arman Tsarukyan shares what Islam Makhachev told him after the 2019 fight
During a recent meeting with Red Corner MMA, Tsarukyan reflected on his post-fight conversation with Makhachev.
“Of course I do. He supported me after the fight, he said: 'You are still young, everything is in front of you. So don't be angry.'” Tsarukyan said. “And I was like, 'I'm not that young' and fell. I sat down and covered my eyes…
“Yes, I never liked losing, no matter how young I was.”
As Tsarukyan plots possible revenge, he has added a “secret weapon” to his camp ahead of UFC 311. Tsarukyan's path to his first career UFC title includes recent victories over Charles Oliveira and Beneil Dariush.
Tsarukyan and Makhachev share a five-year age gap ahead of UFC 311. While Makhachev will enter the Octagon as the oldest side, Tsarukyan has a similar level of experience entering their rematch.
Arman Tsarukyan met Islam Makhachev in his UFC debut
Tsarukyan's loss to Makhachev in 2019 was his UFC debut and only the second loss of his professional career at the time. He snapped a five-fight winning streak after Makhachev's defeat with victories over Matt Frevola and rising star Joel Alvarez.
After winning the title at UFC 280, Makhachev has defended the title against Alexander Volkanovski (twice) and Dustin Poirier. He enters UFC 311 at the top of the UFC pound-for-pound list, above top names like Jon Jones and Alex Pereira.
Tsarukyan and Makhachev have evolved dramatically from UFC 311. Six years after their post-fight banter, Tsarukyan will look to prove Makhachev's earlier encouragement by dethroning the lightweight champion.
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