Arman Tsarukyan envisions KO of Islam Makhachev in rematch for title

LAS VEGAS – After successful at UFC 300, Arman Tsarukyan has his sights set on combating for the UFC light-weight title in a rematch towards Islam Makhachev.

On the most important stage, in an important struggle of his profession to this point, Armenia’s Tsarukyan (22-3 MMA, 9-2 UFC) picked up a split decision win over former champ Charles Oliveira on the principle card of UFC 300 at T-Cell Enviornment.

On the conclusion of the bout, Tsarukyan went over to UFC CEO Dana White to ship a easy request, which he revealed throughout a post-fight information convention.

“Give me title shot,” Tsarukyan instructed reporters.

The struggle between Tsarukyan and Oliveira (34-10 MMA, 22-10 UFC) was billed as a No. 1 contender struggle. Nevertheless, White later introduced that Makhachev’s next fight can be towards Dustin Poirier at UFC 302 on June 1. The UFC boss instructed reporters choices have been left open going into the cardboard, ready to see how the night would unfold, finally leaving Tsarukyan because the odd man out.

It’s unclear if Tsarukyan must take one other struggle earlier than getting a shot on the title, however he’s centered on getting one again on Makhachev, who he first shared the octagon in his 2019 UFC debut.

“With Islam, a rematch, I’m going to win,” Tsarukyan stated. “Doesn’t matter how. I simply must win that struggle as a result of I wish to be a champion. The very best-case state of affairs is knock him out.”

Though he didn’t get his hand raised that night time, Tsarukyan’s UFC debut resolution loss has aged about in addition to one might hope. Makhachev went on to assert the UFC title six fights later and has gained eight straight fights. Tsarukyan has gone 9-1 since his debut, solely dropping a Battle of the Night time resolution to Mateusz Gamrot in a 2022 headliner. Nevertheless, in the event you ask the Armenian, he appears like he’s undefeated since combating Dagestan’s Makhachev.

“I fought like 10 occasions after that struggle, and I really feel like 10 successful streak I’ve after that struggle,” Tsarukyan stated.  “I didn’t lose any fights from Islam struggle. It was 5 years in the past, I acquired a variety of expertise.

“My abilities, I get higher each day, I really feel it. Each camp I get higher. So I really feel this camp was higher than the final one, and the earlier one and I’m going up. I don’t know what I’m going to be in three or 4 years, going to be like unstoppable fighter.”

For extra on the cardboard, go to MMA Junkie’s occasion hub for UFC 300.