As he did with Alexander Volkanovski, Islam Makhachev wants no stone unturned when he rematches Arman ‘Ahalkalakets’ Tsarukyan. The reigning UFC 155-pound champion attempts a fourth defense of his strap on January 18 in the main event of UFC 311 PPV in Inglewood, California.
Veteran MMA journo James Lynch (@LynchOnSports) recently conducted another session of MMA Pros Pick. With pre-Christmas betting props standing at -410/+305 against the underdog ‘Ahalkalakets’, many MMA personalities gave their pick. As did the coach of UFC GOAT Jon Jones.
I think Islam is rightfully the favorite…he’s racking up the championship experience. Ah- [with] Poirier showed his championship character, like, being able to dig down deep those later rounds, despite the cut. Despite being wobbled. Ah, I think Islam has really grown as a champion and won’t see such a close rematch between those two…I think Islam shows domination, and..and, showcases his grappling once again.
Brandon Gibson to James Lynch (@LynchOnSports)
Islam Makhachev and Tsarukyan squared up for the first time in April 2019. The Dagestani defeated the then-UFC debutant Tsarukyan by unanimous nod but he was his biggest challenge. The scrap won the Fight of the Night award back then.
Many have chosen the title challenger given he eeked past the submissions specialist Charles Oliveira. Now that he is the No. 1 seed for gold, Arman Tsarukyan poses an ever better chance. But so does the champ. Makhachev has logged scintillating skill-to-skill battles against Volk and veteran 155lber Dustin Poirier. Moreover, he is a proper Men’s Pound-for-pound top circle.
The second time around, he blew past Volkanovski with a shin kick to the head (UFC 294). Against Poirier (UFC 302 PPV), he outboxed the longtime boxer and threatened his guillotine dreams with a fifth-round D’Arce choke at UFC 302 headliner in June. There’s just a pattern here. Hence, despite the P4P friction, Team Jones veers to Makhachev, as does the champ himself.
Islam Makhachev aims to ‘make everyone shut up’ by ending challenger Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 311
Following a news conference before the UFC 310 ceremonial weigh-ins, Islam Makhachev (26-1 MMA, 15-1 UFC) and Tsarukyan (22-3 MMA, 9-2 UFC) had their first look at each other. After their UFC 311 on-sale press conference, the duo have already entered camp.
Islam Makhachev wants to shut up the doubters at UFC 311 (Source: X)Makhachev knows that the 28-year-old Team ATT slugger Arman Tsarukyan poses his set of prowess. He has also logged key wins against Beneil Darisuh and ‘Do Bronx.’ However, Makhachev himself has also skyrocketed in what he can do. Tsarukyan has also stirred the pot diminishing him as not the greatest. Come UFC 311, he wants to shut up the detractors by taking it out of the judges’ hands.
Maybe I underestimated him because it was short notice and nobody knows him, and he don’t have name, …I never watched his fights. He did well in that fight, but I’d like to finish all the questions, you know? …[Volkanovski] I told everyone I had to close and finish the questions and get the finish. That’s why in the second fight. I am going to be looking for finish and make everyone shut up
Islam Makhachev in pre-fight media sitdown w/ Daniel Cormier for ESPN MMA (@ESPNMMA)
The biggest detractors and MMA pundits billed that Tsarukyan could have beaten him on a full camp in 2019. The champ is out to prove them all wrong. He also got to be the number-one contender for the UFC 155-pound gold with a win over Charles Oliveria in a title eliminator at UFC 300. ‘Do Bronx’ is someone Makhachev has already beaten; that just gives him more and more confidence here.
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