For most individuals, Islam Makhachev is called the reigning UFC light-weight world champion. Some could even know him as the perfect P4P fighter on the planet. For Arman Tsarukyan, he was simply the cousin of Octagon icon Khabib Nurmagomedov.
On Saturday, January 18, Tsarukyan will try and grow to be simply the second man to defeat Khabib’s cuz when the 2 headline UFC 311 contained in the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles. On that night time, ‘Akhalkalakets’ challenges Makhachev for the 155-pound crown in a rematch 5 years within the making.
It will likely be the pair’s second-ever assembly — their first coming at UFC on ESPN+ 7 in April 2019. Makhachev got here out on prime, handing Tsarukyan a unanimous resolution loss within the Armenian’s promotional debut.
Since then, Tsarukyan has gone 9-1 contained in the Octagon, together with wins over Beneil Dariush and Charles Oliveira in his final two outings. These victories thrust Tsarukyan into the highest spot within the light-weight division, setting the stage for a rematch greater than 5 years within the making.
Tsarukyan knew Islam Makhachev can be powerful simply due to his relationship with Khabib
Lengthy earlier than Tsarukyan ever stepped foot inside a cage with Makhachev, he knew who the ‘Dagestani Destroyer’ was. Nevertheless, it wasn’t Makhachev’s repute for stacking our bodies contained in the Octagon that obtained Tsarukyan’s consideration — it was his relation to ‘The Eagle.
“I knew him very properly as a result of he’s Khabib’s cousin, and he already had 5 or 6 fights within the UFC,” Tsarukyan instructed ESPN MMA. “I at all times watched his fights and Khabib’s fights. So, once I heard it was Islam, I already knew he was a southpaw, wrestler, and really expert.
“I used to be extra excited as a result of everybody in Russia is aware of him. I believed it was combat for me, and once I beat him, folks would discuss me.”
