Arman Tsarukyan shares one thing that could have changed UFC debut against Islam MakhachevÂ
Arman Tsarukyan and Islam Makhachev are set to clash in the main event of UFC 311 on Jan. 18 for the lightweight title. It will be a rematch of their clash in 2019, where the Russian-Armenian made his promotional debut, at UFC Fight Night 149.
Up until Makhachev's fight with Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 284, many pundits viewed Tsarukyan's debut fight with the Dagestani as his most difficult fight to date.
'Akhalkalakets' was just 22 years old at the time of the bout, and took the fight on three-weeks notice. Given this, he was recenly asked what could have altered the outcome of his first fight with Makhachev, during an interview with ESPN MMA.
The lightweight title challenger said:
"Just doing more sparring with southpaw [fighters], because mostly in our gyms I fight with orthodox fighters. It's kind of different. You've got to find someone, bring someone, who can wrestle and strike. It's a little bit difficult, so. But the most important thing is sparring with a similar guy to the one you will be fighting."
Check out Arman Tsarukyan's comments below (4:15):
UFC 311 will feature two title fights, with Makhachev and Tsarukyan clashing in the main event. Before the lightweight title fight, Merab Dvalishvili and Umar Nurmagomedov will go to war for the bantamweight title.
Arman Tsarukyan explains his surprise at Islam Makhachev accepting UFC 311 fight date
UFC 311 will take place in Los Angeles, California, and will serve as the host for the promotion's first pay-per-view (PPV) card of 2025.
The card will be headlined by a rematch between Arman Tsarukyan and Islam Makhachev. Following the bout's announcement, the title challenger shared his surprise that the lightweight champion accepted the fight offer.
The 27-year-old pointed to the PPV card's location as the main reason for his surprise. Given the high amount of Armenians living in Los Angeles, Tsarukyan expects to have the majority of the support from fans on the night.
The No.1-ranked lightweight contender was recently interviewed by Ariel Helwani, where he said:
"90 percent is going to be my fans [at UFC 311]... I'm surprised [that he agreed to the fight] because it's not his territory. I thought he wanted to maybe fight in Saudi Arabia or Dubai or somewhere else, but not in California. California is an Armenian town, you know."
Check out Arman Tsarukyan discuss UFC 311 fight below (1:40):