When Arman Tsarukyan made his octagon debut in April 2019, he did not notice that it could arrange a championship rematch down the street. Tsarukyan accepted a short-notice combat in opposition to Islam Makhachev and misplaced through unanimous determination.
Makhachev went on to seize the 155-pound championship and Tsarukyan fought his means into high contender standing. The 2 rematch within the UFC 311 important occasion on Jan. 18 in Inglewood, California.
“Once I fought final time in Russia, it wasn’t within the UFC. My supervisor informed me, ‘You are going to get within the UFC quickly.’ He referred to as me earlier than three weeks, ‘You bought the combat within the UFC.’ I stated, ‘Okay,’ and signed the contract,” Tsaruykan defined to ESPN MMA.
“He stated, ‘It is Islam Makhachev,’ and I stated, ‘Okay, means higher.’ I used to be tremendous excited as a result of I used to be tremendous younger, 22-years outdated, and I wished to win a lot that combat,” Tsarukyan continued. “That is the largest dream in my life. Once I was younger, UFC was tremendous massive for me. I believed it is unattainable to get there, however once I get there and began to combat, I understood that I am a man who could possibly be champion.”
Tsarukyan’s UFC debut passed off in Saint Petersburg, Russia. Whereas he didn’t get the win, the bout earned ‘Combat of the Night time’ honors. On Jan. 18, Tsarukyan could 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 arrange for it. After spending quarter-hour within the cage with the present titleholder, Tsarukyan stated he realized Makhachev is not pretty much as good as everybody thinks he’s.
“He isn’t that good like individuals suppose,” Tsarukyan stated. “Folks like suppose he is unbeatable and like loopy wrestling. I took him down once I was 22-years outdated.”
“He is one of the best in our division. I believe simply me who can beat him proper now,” Tsarykyan continued.
