Arman Tsarukyan thinks he would’ve had a simple time with Islam Makhachev at UFC 302.
On Saturday, Makhachev efficiently defended his UFC light-weight title with a fifth-round submission win over Dustin Poirier in the principle occasion. Although Makhachev is the No. 1 Pound-for-Pound fighter on the planet, his efficiency acquired some criticism from followers for the problem he had with Poirier, and Tsarukyan agrees it wasn’t the champ’s finest evening on the workplace.
“It wasn’t one of the best efficiency,” Tsarukyan mentioned on The MMA Hour. “He acquired drained and he was sluggish. I really feel like Islam doesn’t have superb conditioning. Or perhaps he acquired sick or no matter. However I’m not judging him simply due to this final struggle. I’ve acquired to look at all his fights and take him critical. He’s [the] No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter. I’m simply going to organize [for] one of the best model of Islam Makhachev. I’m not going to underestimate him or simply assume, ‘Dustin can defend his wrestling, I’m going to defend as properly.’ I’m going to do my work and I do know what I’ve acquired to do.”
And apparently what he has to do is cardio.
As Tsarukyan continued speaking about UFC 302, he famous that if he was the one preventing Makhachev as an alternative of his American High Staff teammate, the result would have been totally different.
“It might be an easy struggle for me,” Tsarukyan mentioned. “I may out-wrestle him that struggle as properly, as a result of he acquired drained. Once you’re drained, you may’t do shit. Even in case you have one of the best expertise on the planet, for those who’re drained, you’re accomplished.
“All his five-round fights he acquired drained as properly,” Tsarukyan added. “He acquired drained versus Volkanovski, he acquired drained versus Dustin. Hopefully that’s going to be my key to win this struggle, due to my cardio.”
Tsarukyan might not get to check his idea subsequent.
Whereas the Georgia-born Armenian fighter is at present the top-ranked light-weight contender, Makhachev has his sights set on greater recreation. Following his UFC 302 win, the champion known as for his alternative to maneuver up and problem for the welterweight title. And whereas Tsarukyan doesn’t really begrudge Makhachev that, he additionally says it’s a bit untimely.
“The 170 struggle, it’s a extra hyped struggle. I perceive,” Tsarukyan mentioned. “This can be a higher struggle. If the UFC gives him to struggle 170, in fact if I have been him I might struggle for the double belt. It’s historical past. He could make historical past. However I really feel like he doesn’t deserve that but. He’s acquired to beat a pair extra fighters at 155 after which go to 170. However we’ll see.”
Thus far, it looks as if Tsarukyan will get his want. UFC CEO Dana White was non-committal about giving Makhachev a welterweight title shot, and even the champion agrees that if UFC needs to run the Tsarukyan rematch subsequent, he’ll fortunately achieve this. Based on Tsarukyan, there have already been rumors a few potential timeline: UFC’s annual journey to New York in November.
“He needs to struggle in New York, Madison Sq. Backyard,” Tsarukyan mentioned. “That’s the best-case situation for me. It’s the most effective locations on the planet for preventing. It’s a historic place, Madison Sq. Backyard. Quite a lot of guys have fought there, boxers, quite a lot of occasions have been there. I wish to struggle there as soon as in my life.”
