Arman Tsarukyan believes that Islam Makhachev is pursuing the most difficult available opponent.
The UFC Lightweight Champion has established itself in recent years one of the best 155 pound hunters of all time.
The Protege of Khabib Nurmagomedov quickly submitted Renato Moicano, who intervened when Arman Tsarukyan was injured 24 hours before UFC 311 in January to defend his lightweight belt for a fourth time.
Now Islam Makhachev is planning to step up a division to face the champion of Welterweight Jack della Maddalena.
Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC
Arman Tsarukyan defends Islam Makhachev against 'Duck' claims
Arman Tsarukyan choked a bellator legend when he returned to the cage on Saturday.
The 28-year-old quadratic square against Patricky 'Pitbull' Freire, whom he tapped with a second-hand choke in the fifth round of their gripping match at ADXC in Russia.
After the fight, Tsarukyan has assembled a surprise defense of Makhachev in the midst of claiming that he was 'Dook', who will be confronted with Charles Oliveira on 28 June for the empty lightweight title on UFC 317.
“No, I don't agree,” he said when he was asked if Makhachev had taken the 'easy' option.
“It will also be a tough fight. With Della Maddalena it would be more difficult for Islam than the Topuria fight.”
The favorite hunter of Armenia believes that Makhachev will be a two-weight UFC champion in 2025.
Yet he insists that della Maddalena has problems causing problems with his boxing skills at elite level.
Tsarukyan added: “I see Islam as the favorite because of wrestling, control and smother.
“Islam, I think he has a much better wrestling game and can take it easily [Della Maddalena].
“Topuria just gets harder and takes more punches, but Della Maddalena is technically better if you speak striking in terms of striking.”
Arman Tsarukyan does not agree with people who say that Islam Makhachev has moved to prevent him from fighting Ilia Topuria:
“[Jack] Also becomes a heavy fight. Maddalena would be more difficult for Islam than the Topuria fight. “
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What is the next step for Arman Tsarukyan?
Arman Tsarukyan recently shared a plan to restore his reputation after fighting with a fight with Islam Makhachev led him to lose a number of fans.
The #1 ranked lightweight competition is ready to play a back -uprol on UFC 317 and UFC 318.
“I'm not sure if that is necessary, but if they offered it to me, I will definitely make it a backup,” Tsarukyan said about Topuria vs Oliveira.
“I will be ready. I now fly back to the US and stay there in case someone is injured and they ask me if I am ready. I will say yes.”
“Absolutely positive,” Tsarukyan added when he was asked if he would also intervene for Dustin Poirier or Max Holloway, who should complete their trilogy of fights in New Orleans on July 19.
“I have to take risks now. I was injured and the injury was misinterpreted.
“The doctor did not let everyone know what really happened, so some people still think that I suppressed that fight.
“Now I just have to get back on the right track, so I'm going to do what the UFC says to do me.”