Arman Tsarukyan declined a fight with Islam Makhachev at UFC 302 on June 1, stating he needs more time to prepare, but is open to a rematch with Makhachev, who defeated him in 2019, if the timing is right.
Arman Tsarukyan is biding his time. He’s waiting for the perfect moment to face off with Islam Makhachev once more.
Tsarukyan’s career hit a high note last Saturday at UFC 300. He scored a split decision victory over ex-lightweight champ Charles Oliveira. This win could potentially pave the way for a rematch with Makhachev, the reigning champ.
The pair have shared the octagon before. Back in April 2019, Makhachev claimed victory over a then-newbie Tsarukyan.
Tsarukyan spilled the beans on The MMA Hour. He was offered a fight with Makhachev at UFC 302 on June 1. But he turned it down.
“Yeah, it’s true,” Tsarukyan admitted. “After I left the octagon, UFC COO Hunter Campbell was like, ‘June 1. Islam.’ I said I needed time to think. It was only seven weeks away. I couldn’t rush into it. I needed to rest, then have a training camp. If it was end of June, I’d have taken it. That would’ve given me 10 weeks – two for rest, eight for prep.”
“Why should I risk it like I did for our first fight? It’s the same deal, short notice. I want to be fully prepared. I want a full training camp. Why should I, the No. 1 contender, take the risk? If I was just in the top 10 and someone said, ‘Seven weeks, can you fight on June 1?’ Yeah, I’d take it. But I just beat the former champ, a Hall of Famer. It doesn’t add up.”
So, Makhachev is set to fight Dustin Poirier at UFC 302 instead. Poirier, aka “The Diamond”, has been on a win-loss pattern in his last five fights. But he’s got recent victories over Conor McGregor, Michael Chandler, and Benoit Saint Denis.
Tsarukyan’s been on fire in the lightweight division since his defeat to Makhachev. He’s gone 9-1, with his only loss being a close split decision against Mateusz Gamrot. When the UFC wanted to reward him with a title fight, it hurt him to say no.
“It was tough to decline,” Tsarukyan confessed. “But I know I’ll fight for the title next, against the winner of Makhachev vs. Poirier.”
Tsarukyan believes the matchmakers want him to face the UFC 302 main event winner. He currently trains at American Top Team in Florida with Poirier. He wouldn’t mind going up against his teammate for the title, though he’s not sure Poirier feels the same. He’s more certain Makhachev would agree to the fight.
If Tsarukyan had to pick his next opponent, it’d be Makhachev, hands down.
“It’s a tough call. Poirier’s my teammate, and Islam’s the guy I’m itching to beat,” said Tsarukyan. “Firstly, he’s got the title. Secondly, it’s a rematch. That fight makes sense to me. I definitely want Islam Makhachev to win.”
“But I won’t be rooting for anyone. I’ll just watch a good fight. Poirier’s strong. He’s got a killer condition and can easily knock people out. If Islam slips up, Poirier will knock him out. He’s got a powerful punch.”