When Arman Tsarukyan made his octagon debut in April 2019, he did not notice that it could arrange a championship rematch down the highway. Tsarukyan accepted a short-notice battle towards Islam Makhachev and misplaced by way of unanimous determination.
Makhachev went on to seize the 155-pound championship and Tsarukyan fought his means into prime contender standing. The 2 rematch within the UFC 311 fundamental occasion on Jan. 18 in Inglewood, California.
“Once I fought final time in Russia, it wasn’t within the UFC. My supervisor advised me, ‘You are going to get within the UFC quickly.’ He referred to as me earlier than three weeks, ‘You bought the battle within the UFC.’ I mentioned, ‘Okay,’ and signed the contract,” Tsaruykan defined to ESPN MMA.
“He mentioned, ‘It is Islam Makhachev,’ and I mentioned, ‘Okay, means higher.’ I used to be tremendous excited as a result of I used to be tremendous younger, 22-years previous, and I wished to win a lot that battle,” Tsarukyan continued. “That is the largest dream in my life. Once I was younger, UFC was tremendous large for me. I assumed it is unattainable to get there, however once I get there and began to battle, I understood that I am a man who may very well be champion.”
Tsarukyan’s UFC debut befell in Saint Petersburg, Russia. Whereas he didn’t get the win, the bout earned ‘Battle of the Evening’ honors. On Jan. 18, Tsarukyan may have the chance to avenge a earlier loss and notice his dream of turning into a UFC champion.
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Tsarukyan did not make any excuses for the primary loss to Makhachev however needs he had extra time to organize for it. After spending quarter-hour within the cage with the present titleholder, Tsarukyan mentioned he realized Makhachev is not pretty much as good as everybody thinks he’s.
“He is not that good like folks assume,” Tsarukyan mentioned. “Folks like assume he is unbeatable and like loopy wrestling. I took him down once I was 22-years previous.”
“He is the most effective in our division. I feel simply me who can beat him proper now,” Tsarykyan continued.
