Islam Makhachev and Arman Tsarukyan seem to have a date with future.
The pair of tantalizing lightweights aren’t any strangers to one another. Makhachev welcomed Tsarukyan to the Octagon for the primary time in April 2019. 5 years after Makhachev’s unanimous resolution victory, each are the highest two within the division with Makhachev because the champion and Tsarukyan the top-ranked contender.
Tsarukyan, 27, has been crucial of Makhachev’s most up-to-date title protection, a fifth-round D’arce choke of Dustin Poirier at UFC 302 one weekend in the past. The contender believes the champion has regularly proven weaknesses, notably within the cardio division, and would have overwhelmed him simply in the event that they rematched on the occasion. Makhachev countered with the next assertion when chatting with Russian media (h/t Pink Nook MMA) upon his return house.
“He simply talks loads,” Makhachev stated. “He can’t get any consideration by way of his fights, so he’s attempting to do that by speaking. He had his shot, I beat him as soon as. I assume I’ll should do it once more.
“I wasn’t exhausted. I used to be recent forward of each spherical. It’s nearly inconceivable for an exhausted fighter to choke his opponent within the fifth spherical. Poirier is likely one of the finest and he retains bettering. He was choked out in two title fights, so he was most likely getting ready for it. He was nicely ready. I used to be attempting to choke him out within the first spherical. I had loads of energy, however he defended it nicely.”
Makhachev vs. Tsarukyan 2 will seemingly be the following light-weight title tilt, as UFC CEO Dana White indicated after Makhachev’s win. Each males have expressed their curiosity in probably colliding contained in the world-famous Madison Sq. Backyard on the finish of the 12 months.
Though Makhachev is ok with a Tsarukyan sequel on his plate for a probably historic fourth title light-weight protection, he has some totally different preferences. It’s no secret that Makhachev ideally hopes to problem for welterweight gold sooner reasonably than later. If he may do it subsequent, he would.
It doesn’t make sense, however a recent matchup like the previous divisional champion Conor McGregor can also be one which entices Makhachev extra.
“To be trustworthy with you, the McGregor struggle appears to be like extra fascinating in all respects,” Makhachev stated. “However I don’t consider he’ll present up for his subsequent struggle. We’ve all seen that video, plus they canceled the press convention. I don’t suppose he’ll be capable of make it to the struggle.
“Even when he does, I believe [Michael] Chandler will win. He’s extra targeted, he’s been coaching laborious, he appears to be like extra hungry.”
McGregor will make his return to motion for the primary time in three years when he fights Chandler in UFC 303’s most important occasion on June 29.
Banter. Sean O’Malley addresses dangerous blood with Conor McGregor: ‘I believe he realized what he stated was silly’
Questionable. Nassourdine Imavov on controversial Jared Cannonier stoppage at UFC Louisville: ‘It was the best resolution’
Redemption. RIZIN 47 outcomes: Kyoji Horiguchi avenges loss to Sergio Pettis, Kleber Koike Erbst grabs slick heel hook
Staged. Dana White reveals stunning Howie Mandel podcast walkout was deliberate
Communication. Raul Rosas Jr. reveals dialog with Ricky Turcios after choking him out at UFC Louisville
Backlash. ‘What a horrible stoppage’: Execs react to Nassourdine Imavov’s controversial end in UFC Louisville most important occasion
Shocker. Bruno Silva attraction denied, end in Chris Weidman struggle stays technical resolution loss
Large. Kai Asakura declares transfer to UFC, vacates RIZIN bantamweight title
Wild. Manny Pacquiao to face RIZIN champion Chihiro Suzuki in boxing exhibition in July
$$$. 4 efficiency of the night time bonuses handed out at UFC Louisville
UFC Louisville Submit Present.
MMA Combating’s Damon Martin chats with Sean O’Malley.
Anderson Silva Open Exercise.
UFC Vegas 93 Promo.
Free fights.
PFL Combat Week.
Extra Infamous coaching.
Champs chat.
Pereira’s UFC 302 shenanigans.
Seanbedded 6.
GSP at Bangtao.
Holloway’s Tokyo takeover.
Paddy in Scotland.
Go to Twitter, use the #MorningReport hashtag, or discover one among my tweets with it, and drop me a jam you’re at the moment actually into. I’ll decide the most effective one alongside my day by day selection and offer you a shoutout! You may also share within the feedback beneath — these are simply tougher to sift by way of generally!
Diego.
Come on bro, I known as you out after my struggle at UFC 300, to struggle at Worldwide Combat Week. You did not reply or present your face. Now you are right here saying “Anybody you suppose can beat me” ♂️ https://t.co/eXD3czunLR
— Diego Lopes (@Diegolopesmma) June 7, 2024
Ya gotta be kidding me.
King Diamond.
Ouff.
Properly-timed.
Time to get loopy.
MIC DROP
“Please cease speaking as if I’ll lose… No person on this room believes I’ve an opportunity… however I’ll win so cease speaking about unfavourable questions.”
RIZIN Featherweight Champ @Chihiro__0514 bought heated! pic.twitter.com/gYFNUvAyga
— RIZIN.television (@RIZINTV_) June 10, 2024
UFC bantamweights placed on discover.
Again to Japan?
With Kai going to the UFC, I might be blissful to make a visit again and struggle for the Bantamweight belt! @rizin_PR
— Vince Morales (@vandetta135) June 9, 2024
Regarding.
One other one.
Clean.
Numbers.
Been toying with a strategy to price struggle playing cards high quality based mostly totally on fighters in most important occasion, prime 3 fights and prime 8 fights on the cardboard by way of rating (used FightMetric for its depth).This is the 2024 UFC playing cards percentile tank in comparison with all UFC occasions since 2005: pic.twitter.com/LzmalCOZ8i
— Scott Fontana (@Scott_Fontana) June 10, 2024
Lol.
Rena Kubota (14-5) vs. Kate “Lotus” Oyama (5-6); Tremendous RIZIN 3, July 28
Allan Nascimento (20-6) vs. Jafel Filho (16-3); UFC Vegas 95, Aug. 10
Danny Barlow (8-0) vs. Uroš Medić (10-2); UFC Vegas 95, Aug. 10
Calvin Kattar (23-8) vs. Kyle Nelson (16-5-1); UFC Combat Evening, Sept. 7
I really feel like Arman’s Oliveira win bought utterly forgotten about due to the cardboard it was on. Transfer it to every other night time and it’s a lot simpler to do not forget that it was nonetheless a banger struggle.
Thanks for studying!
Final Week’s Outcomes:
Friday: 57% of 578 whole votes answered “Sean Strickland” when requested, “Who would you root for if the UFC rebooked Sean Strickland vs. Luke Rockhold?”
Thursday: 67% of 545 whole votes answered “No” when requested, “Will Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson ever occur?”
Wednesday: 65% of 487 whole votes answered “Michael Chandler” when requested, “Who’s a worse matchup for Alexander Volkanovski?”
Tuesday: 92% of 444 whole votes answered “Islam Makhachev” when requested, “Which was Dustin Poirier’s finest efficiency amongst his three undisputed UFC title challenges?”
Monday: 56% of 455 whole votes answered “Jon Jones” when requested, “Who’s greater in your pound-for-pound checklist?”
At the moment’s exit ballot:
Ballot
Was Jared Cannonier vs. Nassourdine Imavov stopped early?
In the event you discover one thing you’d prefer to see within the Morning Report, hit up @DrakeRiggs_ on Twitter and let him find out about it. Additionally, comply with MMAFighting on Instagram and like us on Fb.
