Alexander Volkanovski's coach confirms reaching out to Arman Tsarukyan to prepare for Islam Makhachev
Alexander Volkanovski's head coach Joe Lopez has confirmed that their team reached out to Arman Tsarukyan to help 'Volk' prepare for his upcoming UFC lightweight title fight against Islam Makhachev.
Tsarukyan faced Makhachev in April 2019 and lost their closely-contested fight via unanimous decision.
Volkanovski's team has roped in several notable combat sports athletes, including BJJ savants such as Craig Jones, to help him prepare for grappling phenom Makhachev. Speaking to Match TV in late 2022, Arman Tsarukyan claimed that he was approached by Alexander Volkanovski's team to help the featherweight kingpin prepare for Islam Makhachev.
Arman Tsarukyan and Islam Makhachev wrestling and grappling highlights.
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'Ahalkalakets' further asserted that he declined the offer. In a recent interview with It's Time For Sports, Freestyle Fighting Gym's Joe Lopez addressed Arman Tsarukyan's recent statements. Lopez stated:
"Look, we did ask him to come along. I reached out to a whole bunch of people. Islam's a formidable opponent, so -- And he [Tsarukyan] did quite well with him [Makhachev] in his fight. And especially in the grappling exchanges, it was a very close fight. And I've met him a couple of times, and I knew him, so I reached. And I know his manager very well, so I reached out to him."
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Also, Joe Lopez suggested that Arman Tsarukyan's BJJ coach approached Craig Jones about potentially joining 'Volk's' training camp for the Islam Makhachev fight. Lopez said:
"And his actual BJJ coach reached out to Craig Jones and asked -- He said that he [Tsarukyan] was interested in coming down. But nothing came of it, and there's only a few more weeks left. So, I don't know whether he's going to come or not. But we haven't heard anything back."
Watch Lopez discuss the topic at 1:11 in the video below:
Arman Tsarukyan on Alexander Volkanovski and Islam Makhachev's chances in their UFC 284 super-fight
UFC featherweight champion and the UFC's No. 1-ranked pound-for-pound fighter Alexander Volkanovski will fight UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev for the latter's title at UFC 284 on February 12th. During his interview with Match TV, Arman Tsarukyan indicated that while Makhachev would be the favorite to win the fight, it'd be closer than most people expect.
Arman Tsarukyan lauded Alexander Volkanovski for his accomplishments in the UFC featherweight division. Furthermore, he noted that 'The Great' has a 40 percent chance of winning, whereas Makhachev's probability of winning stands at 60 percent. 'Ahalkalakets' explained:
"Well, what are the chances? The man [Alexander Volkanovski] defended the title so many times, [he is] experienced, powerful... [he] cannot be written off. For some reason, people greatly underestimate it. I would give 40 to 60. 40 to Volkanovski and 60 to Islam. [Translated from Russian to English via Google Translate]"