Ahead of their UFC 311 lightweight title fight this Saturday, Islam Makhachev and Arman Tsarukyan have remained extremely respectful towards each other.
When they first met in 2019, Arman Tsarukyan came on a few weeks' notice and even had to lose weight at his own wedding to ensure he could gain weight.
Islam Makhachev picked up the unanimous decision victory to become the pound-for-pound best fighter in the world, ruling the lightweight division.
With their rematch looming this Saturday, Tsarukyan has pulled out all the stops to avenge his loss to the Russian, even enlisting the help of the only fighter to ever beat Makhachev.
Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
Islam Makhachev denies Tsarukyan's claims of 'secret move'
During the build-up to their fight at UFC 311, 'Ahalkalakets' has hinted that he has been working on a secret move that he plans to pull out of the main event.
“Everyone asks 'Tell me your secret technique', how can I tell you 'Okay, high kick'. I shouldn't say the secret technique, everyone asks the same question: 'What is the secret technique?' there is no point in asking that question,” Tsarukyan teased at UFC 311 media day.
“I have never seen the technique in the UFC, not even in highlights. Yes, definitely (you'll know it when you see it), that technique that makes you say: 'Wow, what is that?' like an upkick in the last fight, you've never seen me throw an upkick before… It'll work if I throw it,” he continued.
Tsaruykan surprised fans when he threw an axekick (upkick) in his last fight at UFC 300 against Charles Oliveira and went on to win the split decision.
Despite Tsarukyan teasing this special 'secret move', Makhachev isn't too convinced by Tsarukyan's words, pleading with fans not to believe the 28-year-old.
“Man, I told you, don't believe what Arman says, because last time he said, 'I'll finish Oliveira in one round,' but they went the distance and he won by split decision, that's why you gotta beat him don't believe,” Makhachev said.
Islam Makhachev does not want to fight Belal Muhammad or Shavkat Rakhmonov
Since winning the 155-pound title, Makhachev has continually hinted at a possible move to the welterweight division to pursue a second belt.
Current welterweight champion Belal Muhammad will next defend his title against Shavkat Rakhmonov as the two were scheduled to clash at UFC 310, but Muhammad withdrew due to a broken toe.
Despite Makhachev and Muhammad being friends and recent training partners, the Russian seemed open to fighting 'Remember The Name', but he appears to have changed his mind.
“Well, I know both guys. These are definitely not the fights I would like. Both Belal Muhammad and Shavkat Rakhmonov are world-class fighters with all skills and they are going to have a good fight, I would like to see that,” said Makhachev.
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