Arman Tsarukyan breaks down Islam Makhachev and Alexander Volkanovski's chances in upcoming title fight
UFC lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan believes that the lightweight title clash between Islam Makhachev and featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 284 will be much closer than people think.
In a recent interview with Match TV, the Russian gave the lightweight champion a 60% chance of winning the highly anticipated affair while pegging 'The Great's chances at 40%:
"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]"
'Ahalkalakets' has already faced Islam Makhachev before. Tsarukyan fought and lost to the Dagestani in his UFC debut. His only other UFC loss came via a controversial unanimous decision against Mateusz Gamrot at UFC on ESPN 38.
Place your bets for the upcoming UFC fight night main card and earn $$$
Based on the live odds on DraftKings Sportsbook, Makhachev is a -315 favorite over the +260 underdog Alexander Volkanovski.
The highly anticipated showdown between the two UFC champions is scheduled to take place at the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia, on February 12. The winner of the match-up is expected to maintain or take over the No.1 spot on the UFC pound-for-pound ladder.
When Arman Tsarukyan said he was the only one who could beat Islam Makhachev
During the pre-fight press conference at UFC Fight Night 216, Arman Tsarukyan said that he was the only fighter who could defeat the recently crowned lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev.
'Ahalkalakets' elaborated that he hopes the UFC will grant him a title shot once he racks up a few wins in the lightweight division's top 5. Furthermore, the 26-year-old claimed that it was he who gave Makhachev the toughest fight of his career:
I know one guy who can beat him, it's me and that's it... Yeah, 100% [it think the rematch with Makhachev is going to happen soon]... If I beat Damir [Ismagulov] and some of them from the top five, UFC [is] going to give me that opportunity because... [during] my debut... i gave him the toughest fight in his career."
Watch Arman Tsarukyan talk about Islam Makhachev below: