As he did with Alexander Volkanovski, Islam Makhachev wants to leave no doubt who the better fighter is when he rematches Arman Tsarukyan.
The UFC lightweight champion attempts to defend his belt for a fourth time Jan. 18 in the main event of UFC 311 in Inglewood, Calif.. This bout between Makhachev (26-1 MMA, 15-1 UFC) and Tsarukyan (22-3 MMA, 9-2 UFC) is a rematch five years in the making, as the two fought in April 2019. The fight won the Fight of the Night award.
Now fighting for a title, Makhachev does not only want to defend his belt. He also wants to stop Tsarukyan and not go to decision, so he can silence any doubters.
“Maybe I underestimated him because it was short notice and nobody knows him, and he don’t have name,” Makhachev told ESPN. “I never watched his fights. He did well in that fight, but I’d like to finish all the questions, you know?”
“With Volkanovski (rematch) I told everyone I had to close and finish the questions and get the finish. That’s why in the second fight. I’m going to be looking for the finish and make everyone shut up.”
Makhachev is not fond of rematches. However, detractors say Tsarukyan could’ve beaten Makhachev in 2019 if he had a full camp and they expect him to dethrone the champ in the first UFC pay-per-view of 2025. That’s why Makhachev likes this matchup.
“Honestly, I like to fight a second time,” Makhachev said. “I don’t like rematch, but when I fight second time, I know everything that my opponent can do and is not going to be surprise for me. Sometimes when somebody like Dustin did, defends wrestling, and he like defends my submission skills it a little bit surprises me. But when I know what my opponent going to do I have more options.”
Tsarukyan earned his title shot when he defeated former champion Charles Oliveira in a title eliminator bout at UFC 300 in April. It was a close fight that went to a split decision and had Tsarukyan in some close calls on the ground. This gives Makhachev confidence he can submit Tsarukyan.
“Charles every round almost finished him,” Makhachev said. “Do some guillotine, do some triangle choke. Everything very close. I think I have more chance.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 311.
