Arman Tsarukyan dismisses the notion that former UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev moved to welterweight to avoid Ilia Topuria.
Makhachev (27-1 MMA, 16-1 UFC) relinquished his 155-pound title in attempt to capture a second UFC belt. Topuria (16-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) did the same thing when he vacated his featherweight title for a move up to 155 pounds but won’t get his desired fight with Makhachev.
Now Makhachev will challenge newly crowned welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena (18-2 MMA, 8-0 UFC) later in the year, whereas Topuria will battle Charles Oliveira for the vacant 155-pound belt June 28 in the UFC 317 headliner.
Topuria is convinced that Makhachev ducked him, but Tsarukyan (23-3 MMA, 9-2 UFC) thinks otherwise.
“No, I don’t agree,” Tsarukyan said in a recent press conference (h/t Championship Rounds). “It’s going to be a tough fight, too. With Della Maddalena, it would be harder for Islam than the Topuria fight.”
Tsarukyan, who withdrew from his title fight against Makhachev at UFC 311 due to a back injury, picks Makhachev to beat Della Maddalena.
“I see Islam as the favorite because of wrestling, control, and chokes,” Tsarukyan said. “Islam, I think he has a much better wrestling game and can easily take down (Della Maddalena). … Topuria just hits harder and takes more punches, but Della Maddalena is technically better – exactly if speaking striking-wise.”
