Arman Tsarukyan has reignited his rivalry with UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev, asserting that he surpasses Makhachev in both wrestling and stand-up striking. Following his recent victory over Joaquim Silva, Tsarukyan expressed confidence in his abilities, stating, “I think I’m going to defend his wrestling and beat him in the standup. I believe my striking is better, my kicks, my boxing” .
Tsarukyan’s belief in his superiority stems from their initial encounter in 2019, where he took Makhachev down during his UFC debut. Reflecting on that fight, Tsarukyan remarked, “He’s not that good like people think… People think he’s unbeatable, like crazy wrestling, but like I took him down when I was 22 years old” .
Despite acknowledging Makhachev’s improvements over the years, Tsarukyan remains confident in his own growth and readiness for a rematch. He emphasized his motivation, stating, “The belt motivates me, not him” .
However, not everyone shares Tsarukyan’s optimism. Former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker commented on the matchup, saying, “I just feel there is a skill gap. Islam is in a very good place right now. I find it very hard to see him getting defeated” .
Tsarukyan was scheduled to face Makhachev at UFC 311, but a back injury forced him to withdraw from the bout. UFC CEO Dana White stated that Tsarukyan would need to work his way back up the rankings to earn another title shot .
As Tsarukyan continues his journey in the lightweight division, his determination to prove himself against Makhachev remains unwavering. Whether he can capitalize on a future opportunity to challenge the champion again remains to be seen.
