Top UFC lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan believes his story with Charles Oliveira is far from complete.
Islam Makhachev’s highly anticipated lightweight title defense against Tsarukyan is expected to headline UFC 311 on Jan. 18. While the UFC has yet to officially confirm the matchup, excitement among fans is already building.
Both Makhachev and Tsarukyan have crossed paths with former lightweight champion Charles Oliveira, who suffered defeats to each. The Brazilian lost to Makhachev via submission in their title bout at UFC 280 and fell to Tsarukyan by decision at UFC 300 this past April.
Speaking to TNT Sports ahead of the expected showdown, Tsarukyan expressed an eagerness to solidify his standing in the division. And if victorious against Makhachev, he has his sights set on a rematch with Oliveira to make a definitive statement.
“Of course, I’m down for everybody,” Tsarukyan said. “Charles Oliveira is one of the best in our division. I feel like Islam, Charles, and I are the top three in the lightweight division right now because Charles beat everyone in the top 15. I beat everybody, too. Islam is the champ, pound-for-pound, but I’m down for everybody.
“But when I become champion, I would like to fight Charles because our fight was pretty close, people think it was pretty close, and I would like to finish him,” Tsarukyan added.
Oliveira, meanwhile, remains in the mix for another title opportunity. The former champion is coming off an impressive five-round decision victory over Michael Chandler at UFC 309 and wasted no time calling for a title shot afterward.
With Makhachev and Tsarukyan poised to clash at UFC 311, the lightweight division continues to deliver some of the sport’s most compelling matchups.
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