Islam Makhachev, widely regarded as the number one pound-for-pound fighter, is set to defend his lightweight title against Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 311 in Los Angeles next month.
This highly anticipated rematch revisits their first encounter from April 2019, a Fight of the Night classic that showcased both fighters’ skill and tenacity.
Tsarukyan, the title challenger, believes that Makhachev’s reputation as an unstoppable force is overstated. In a recent interview with ESPN, the Russian-Armenian expressed his confidence in dethroning the champion:
He’s not as good as people think,” Tsarukyan said. “People think he’s unbeatable, like crazy wrestling, but I took him down when I was 22 years old.
The challenger attributes his confidence to two key factors: wrestling expertise and his relentless drive to achieve championship glory.
First of all, I know how to wrestle very well,” Tsarukyan explained. “Second, I’m young and hungry. I’ve never had the belt, so it drives me. I have a lot of energy for training, and I believe I’m the guy who’s going to beat him. But the most important thing is that I’m very hungry. I want that belt so much. It’s a dream. When I got into the UFC, I was thinking about that. I’ve been thinking about it for five years.
With both fighters determined to leave their mark, UFC 311 promises to deliver another unforgettable showdown in the lightweight division.