Arman Tsarukyan faces Islam Makhachev for the second time in the main event of UFC 311 , with the lightweight title (up to 70,3 kg) on the line. The Russian will have Khabib Nurmagomedov in his corner. However, for the Armenian, this factor will serve as motivation rather than intimidation.
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“It’s going to give me more energy. Because it’s like if I beat Islam, it’s like I beat Khabib’s team, you know? Khabib for me is a different level. Not only as a fighter, as a man. So I like Khabib more than Islam. When I was young I watched all of Khabib’s fights. For me he’s the GOAT of our division,” Tsarukyan said in an interview with Canadian reporter Ariel Helwani.
In addition to Makhachev in the main event, Khabib will also be in the corner of his cousin Umar Nurmagomedov , who faces Merab Dvalishvili in the previous fight for the bantamweight title (up to 61,2 kg). After the official announcement of the event, the former fighter expressed his excitement through social media.
Tsarukyan comes from victory against Charles of the Bronx
In addition to losing to Makhachev in his organizational debut, Arman Tsarukyan was defeated by Mateusz Gamrot in a controversial decision. Since then, he has four consecutive wins, including a split decision victory against Charles Oliveira at UFC 300.
Arman Tsarukyan defeated Charles Oliveira at UFC 300 (Photo: Reproduction/Instagram)
Makhachev is currently on a 14-fight winning streak, the third longest in history. Ahead of him are only Kamaru Usman , with 15, and Anderson Silva , with 16. In his own weight class, the Russian has the most successful title defenses, tied with Khabib Nurmagomedov , Benson Henderson, and BJ Penn.
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