Just a few weeks after his UFC lightweight title fight at UFC 311, Arman Tsarukyan has bizarrely admitted that he is not 100% committed to MMA.
On January 18, Islam Makhachev will defend his lightweight title in a rematch against Arman Tsarukyan that has been six years in the making.
When they first met in Russia in 2019, 'Ahalkalakets' came in on short notice to face Makhachev, who was on a four-fight win streak and moving up to the 155-pound rankings.
Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC
Arman Tsarukyan Suggests He's Not '100% Invested In MMA' Despite Title Fight
After losing a unanimous decision to the Russian, the 28-year-old picked up five wins before suffering a controversial defeat to Mateusz Gamrot. He then followed that up with another four-fight win streak.
Last April at UFC 300, Tsarukyan picked up the biggest win of his career to date against former champion Charles Oliveira, earning a title shot and a rematch against Makhachev.
He's now just weeks away from his title fight at UFC 311, and before that he's made a strange admission that he's not “100% invested in MMA” despite his success.
In a video on his YouTube channel of himself preparing for his fight on Mount Elbrus in Russia while he usually trains with AT&T in America, Tsarukyan was reminded of that confession by a friend.
“You yourself told us that you are not 100% invested in MMA and that there are a lot of guys working harder and yet you are one step away from becoming the best lightweight in the world. Have you ever asked yourself, 'What if I invested 100% in MMA?', his friend asked.
“Well, now we'll see. The title fight will show whether a man who has not invested 100% in this company can still make it,” Tsarukyan responded.
Islam Makhachev could make UFC history with a win at UFC 311
With his successful title defense against Dustin Poirier in June, the Russian tied the record for most title defenses in the lightweight division.
He, Khabib Nurmagomedov, BJ Penn and Benson Henderson are all currently tied with three title defenses each, but Makhachev has the advantage of still being in his prime.
Despite this, the 33-year-old has already heavily hinted at a possible move to the welterweight division in pursuit of champion status as he looks to cement himself as an all-time great in the sport.
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