Arman Tsarukyan is the current leading contender to face Islam Makhachev for the UFC lightweight belt. It would be their second UFC fight and will likely take place later this year if both fighters are injury-free. However, with Makhachev’s availability in doubt, Tsarukyan is desperate to secure a substitute interim title fight.
Islam Makhachev last fought at UFC 302, defending his belt against Dustin Poirier. The Dagestani fighter was eager to return to the octagon later this year for his second bout. However, he revealed that he needed to go through a potential surgery to sort out an ongoing health issue. With the latest turn of events, Arman Tsarukyan is ready to shift his focus towards other top lightweights temporarily.
If Islam can’t fight this year. For sure, I would like to fight for the interim title. Doesn’t matter who is gonna be in front of me. Dustin Poirier, he is a solid fighter…Justin Gaethje, Michael Chandler as well.
Arman Tsarukyan via Submission Radio
Arman Tsarukyan, in his last bout, defeated former UFC champion Charles Oliveira in a competitive fight. On top of that, he has had online scuffles with fighters such as Michael Chandler and Dustin Poirier. DP and Tsarukyan used to train together and the Armenian lightweight remains interested in that fight as well.
Arman Tsarukyan says he was supposed to fight Islam Makhachev for the title in October, but says it may be pushed to December or even next year.
He says if Islam can’t fight this year, he’d like to fight for an interim title. He mentions Dustin Poirier, Justin Gaethje and… pic.twitter.com/6izXWQUWB6
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) August 8, 2024
Currently, Arman Tsarukyan is suspended from fighting for hitting a fan at UFC 300. He does have several opportunities in the lightweight division. If everything goes well, Makhachev is still his rank one priority. He has also talked about getting help from middleweight Khamzat Chimaev to prepare for Makhachev.
An injured Islam Makhachev will not fight Arman Tsarukyan, says coach
Islam Makhachev has been one of the most active UFC champions in the last few years. The lightweight champion is also the pound-for-pound number-one fighter and has established a humongous fan base. With great power comes great responsibility, and Makhachev is cautious not to make any bad decision to break his momentum.
Islam Makhachev will not risk his belt against Arman Tsarukyan (via Imago/X)Islam Makhachev’s longtime coach, Javier Mendez, talked about the champion’s injury in a recent interview with Submission Radio. According to Mendez, the Dagestani star will not risk fighting with an injured hand if the injury worsens.
One thing Islam will not do is he’s not gonna fight injured. He will fight anybody whoever the UFC puts in front of him but one things he’s not gonna do is sacrifice his health to go in and lose his title.
Javier Mendez via Submission Radio
While discussing Makhachev’s next fight, Mendez mentioned that Arman Tsarukyan is the deserving challenger. If Makhachev recovers from his injury and remains fit, they are ready to fight at the end of 2024. While Makhachev can be considered the favorite in the title fight, many believe Tsarukyan has the potential to pull out a major upset.
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