January 6, 2025 1:00 pm ET
Islam Makhachev gave Arman Tsarukyan some phrases of encouragement after their first UFC battle.
Makhachev (26-1 MMA, 15-1 UFC) welcomed Tsarukyan (22-3 MMA, 9-2 UFC) to the UFC in April 2019, defeating the then-22-year-old by unanimous determination. It was a short-notice battle for Tsarukyan, however the loss was nonetheless a tricky tablet to swallow.
“Yeah, after all I do (bear in mind). He supported me after the battle,” Tsarukyan advised Red Corner MMA. “He stated, ‘You’re nonetheless younger, all the pieces’s forward of you. So, don’t be upset.’ And I used to be like, ‘I’m not that younger,’ fell down, sat down, and coated my eyes. Sure, I by no means favored dropping, regardless of how younger I used to be.”
Tsarukyan would go on to win 9 of his subsequent 10 fights, incomes his means again to a rematch with UFC light-weight champion Makhachev. The pair run issues again within the UFC 311 headliner Jan. 18 from Intuit Dome in Inglewood, Calif., which airs on ESPN+ pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and ESPN+.
In accordance with BetMGM, Makhachev is an enormous -450 favourite over Tsarukyan, who’s a +325 underdog. For years, Tsarukyan was the fighter who pushed Makhachev probably the most, however Makhachev is confident that he gets the finish this time. “I feel he (Makhachev) would possibly underestimate me on digital camera, appearing like I’m not on his stage, however his crew, his coaches perceive that I’m a really critical risk,” Tsarukyan stated. “And they’re going to put together in addition to they’ll.”
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