Arman Tsarukyan seeks redemption in the biggest fight of his life on Jan. 18 at UFC 311.
Dethroning UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev has proven to be no easy task, as Tsarukyan can attest. In his short-notice promotional debut in 2019, Tsarukyan put up a valiant effort considering his experience at the time, but dropped a hard-fought decision to Makhachev. Since then, Tsarukyan has emerged as a terror at 155 pounds and Makhachev has continued on track toward all-time great status.
Makhachev has already tied the UFC’s record for consecutive lightweight defenses (3) and can set a new benchmark if he beats Tsarukyan again at UFC 311. In Tsarukyan’s eyes, however, the champ still has work to do to surpass the legend of his longtime friend and mentor, Khabib Nurmagomedov.
“Khabib, for me, is a different level fighter,” Tsarukyan said Tuesday on Uncrowned’s “The Ariel Helwani Show,” ranking Nurmagomedov ahead of Makhachev. “Not just like a fighter, like a man, you know?
“When I was young, I watched all Khabib’s fights, and for me, he’s the GOAT in our division.”
Former UFC lightweight champion Nurmagomedov famously went 29-0 in his flawless MMA career before hanging up his gloves in 2020.
Makhachev, 33, is only the second fighter to hold the title since Nurmagomedov and currently sits in a five-way tie for the defense record with Nurmagomedov, BJ Penn, Benson Henderson and Frankie Edgar.
Although he never had a chance to challenge himself against Nurmagomedov, Tsarukyan believes beating Makhachev is the next best thing he can accomplish — and somewhat of a combo deal.
“It’s going to give me more energy,” Tsarukyan said of Nurmagomedov being in Makhachev’s corner for UFC 311. “If I beat Islam, it’s like I kind of beat Khabib’s team, you know?
“I want to finish him. It’s a goal to finish him and not let judges do [their] judging.”
Tsarukyan and Makhachev had the first staredown for their rematch at UFC 311’s kickoff press conference this past Friday in Las Vegas. Despite the duo’s status as headliners, the card’s co-main event stole the show with the fiery back-and-forth banter between UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili and challenger Umar Nurmagomedov, Khabib’s cousin. That drama continues to spill over into this week, as Dvalishvili remains intent on showing Nurmagomedov that he isn’t here to be disrespected.
As confident as Tsarukyan is that he’ll tie his own series with Makhachev at one win apiece, the 28-year-old has nothing bad to say about the UFC lightweight king. He’s watched and assessed Makhachev in the time since their bout and believes the champ has improved everywhere except his wrestling.
“I just want to get his belt,” Tsarukyan said. “For me, it’s a sport and we don’t argue or we don’t have some drama, and we just want to fight to see who is the best in lightweight division.
“I feel like I’m completely different fighter right now and now I have everything to beat him.”
With Makhachev nearing a record four lightweight title defenses, it’s safe to assume he’s reached instant rematch territory in the event of a loss. Tsarukyan doesn’t expect to worry about that, though.
Makhachev has the Muslim holiday of Ramadan waiting for him right around the corner after UFC 311, and Tsarukyan doesn’t want to put his own career on hold any longer. A typically active competitor, Tsarukyan fought only once in 2024 — just the second year he’s been that stagnant since his 2015 pro debut. He plans to change that as a champion and already sees the first challenger awaiting him.
“I want to fight as soon as possible,” Tsarukyan said. “In May would be great. Because I gotta make money after [I get the] belt, I’m going to make money. Three fights [in 2025] would be great.
“[Charles] Oliveira, for sure [should be next]. This is going to be a good fight. Five rounds, former champion with a new champion. It’s a great fight, great rematch.”
