Arman Tsarukyan hopes to battle for the UFC title whether or not or not Islam Makhachev is a part of the equation.
Tsarukyan (22-3 MMA, 9-2 UFC) was supplied light-weight champion Makhachev (25-1 MMA, 14-1 UFC) simply two months after beating Charles Oliveira at UFC 300 in April, however turned it down because of the quick discover. Makhachev fought Dustin Poirier as a substitute at UFC 302, submitting him in Spherical 5.
Tsarukyan is predicted to run issues again with Makhachev subsequent, however with Makhachev sidelined attributable to a ligament damage in his hand, he might have to attend. The streaking contender hoped to problem Makhachev at UFC 308 on Oct. 26 in Abu Dhabi.
“So my supervisor informed me I’m going to battle in October vs. Islam,” Tsarukyan informed Submission Radio. “After which he mentioned that he acquired injured and now they moved that battle in December or possibly subsequent yr.
“So after all it’s unhappy as a result of I already began coaching very laborious, and I’m in form, and I assumed we’re going to battle in October, however it’s what it’s. So if it’s December for me, it doesn’t matter. I’m going to attend and prepare as a lot as I can.”
If the wait finally ends up stretching into subsequent yr, Tsarukyan needs to compete for an interim title.
“If Islam can’t battle this yr, for certain I want to battle for the interim title, and it doesn’t matter who’s going to be in entrance of me,” Tsarukyan mentioned. “Dustin Poirier, he’s a stable fighter and he has lots of expertise. Yeah, it could be nice. Dustin, (Justin) Gaethje, Michael Chandler as nicely. However my focus is on Islam.”
Makhachev has made it clear that he’s not too interested by rematching Tsarukyan after beating him in 2019, however would battle him if supplied. Tsarukyan, who’s received 9 of his previous 10, finds his feedback laughable.
“He ought to battle with Paddy Pimblett – possibly he deserves greater than me as a result of I’m No. 1,” Tsarukyan mentioned. “As a result of he can lose to me, that’s why he’s not interested by me. … I imagine in myself. I’m going there to knock him out, and that’s it.”
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