Islam Makhachev Not Buying Arman Tsarukyan’s ‘Secret’ UFC 311 Weapon: ‘He Said He’d Finish Oliveira In Round One’

Makhachev has called Tsarukyan's bluff.

UFC Lightweight Champion Islam Makhachev isn’t worried about Arman Tsarukyan’s tease of a never-before-seen move that will make the difference this weekend.

Makhachev and Tsarukyan are set to run it back in Los Angeles on Saturday night, with the former defending his 155-pound crown in the headlining act at UFC 311 inside the Intuit Dome.

The pair previously did battle at a UFC Fight Night in Moscow back in 2019, with Makhachev emerging victorious from a competitive 15-minute scrap on the scorecards.

Since then, the Armenian has no doubt evolved, leading him to believe that redemption will soon arrive at his doorstep. And to secure just that, Tsarukyan plans to bring out something special from his toolbox.

In recent weeks, the challenger has teased a “secret” trick that will set up a finish of Makhachev and ensure the championship belt changes hands.

Suffice it to say that the champ isn’t worried.

“Man, I told you, don’t believe what Arman says,” Makhachev said during UFC 311 media day. “Because last time, he said he’ll finish (Charles) Oliveira in one round, but he go (the) distance and he won by split decision. Don’t believe him.”

Makhachev will look to prove himself right by avoiding whatever Tsarukyan plans on throwing his way come fight night on Jan. 18.

And should the Dagestani do just that en route to a fourth successful title retention, he’ll separate himself from BJ Penn and Khabib Nurmagomedov to sit atop the leaderboard for most lightweight championship fight wins and consecutive defenses in the UFC.

Related News

Top Stories

UFC Store

Demetrious Johnson Tells Sean Strickland To ‘Swallow His Ego’ & Change His Style After UFC 312

UFC legend Demetrious Johnson thinks it's time for Sean Strickland to change his ways...

Dricus Du Plessis: Khamzat Chimaev ‘Deserves A Hiding’ Before Alex Pereira Fight

Dricus Du Plessis successfully defended his middleweight title for the second time with a...

Dana White Reveals ‘Fascinating’ Revelation He Had While Watching Sean Strickland At UFC 312

Sean Strickland’s loss to Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 312 was a decisive unanimous...

Dricus Du Plessis ‘Super Frustrated’ By UFC 312 Boos: ‘If It Was Towards Me, You Are Stupid’

UFC Middleweight Champion Dricus Du Plessis insists he's not to blame for how his...

UFC Analyst Rips Sean Strickland After UFC 312 Performance: ‘He’s Not Who He Says He Is’

Sean Strickland’s pre-fight promises of a brutal, all-out war with Dricus Du Plessis at...

Joe Rogan Reacts To Dricus Du Plessis’ UFC 312 Win Over Sean Strickland: ‘He’s A Tough Puzzle’

While the UFC 312 main event itself didn't exactly deliver fireworks, color commentator Joe...

Merab Dvalishvili Slams Controversial Stoppage At UFC 312: ‘Hate This!’

UFC Bantamweight Champion Merab Dvalishvili was not pleased to see one fighter's outing at...

Khamzat Chimaev & Nassourdine Imavov Among Fighters Unimpressed By UFC 312 Main Event

Dricus Du Plessis and Sean Strickland ran it back in Saturday's UFC 312 headliner,...

Sean Strickland Reveals Extent Of Damage From Dricus Du Plessis Punch At UFC 312: ‘Broke My Nose In Like Six Places’

Following his unanimous decision loss to Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 312 in Sydney,...