Khabib Nurmagomedov understands the place Arman Tsarukyan is in.
Nurmagomedov will nook UFC light-weight champion Islam Makhachev in the principle occasion of Saturday’s UFC 311 card. The previous UFC titleholder was getting ready for Makhachev to face Tsarukyan, however the initially slotted challenger was pressured to withdraw as a consequence of a again damage throughout his weight lower. Renato Moicano now will get the title shot in opposition to Makhachev.
Forward of the UFC’s first pay-per-view card of the 12 months, Nurmagomedov gave his response to Tsarukyan’s late scratch.
“Actually, I knew this yesterday, at 1 a.m, [overnight] earlier than I [went] to sleep,” Nurmagomedov stated. “Actually, this may occur with anyone. For those who guys keep in mind 2017, March, it occurred with me too. Then after that, I am going to hospital, make surgical procedure, come again and I inform UFC, ‘It was my mistake, give me different finest man. I’m going to beat this man and deserve my title shot.’ It was the identical factor with me.
“I simply need to want him all the most effective. He’s younger. He’s powerful. He can come again. He [has] to outlive this example and are available again.”
Nurmagomedov will nook back-to-back title fights — first, Umar Nurmagomedov, who challenges Merab Dvalishvili for the bantamweight championship within the co-main occasion — however now has to arrange Makhachev for a model new opponent in simply over a day’s discover.
One factor the all-time nice received’t do is take Moicano too flippantly.
“Now, new major occasion,” Nurmagomedov defined. “I believe with Moicano, he has very huge expertise within the UFC… 10, 11 years in UFC. He [has four-fight] win streak, and he’s on his prime. It’s an excellent battle.
“After all, it’s not like Arman and Islam, however it’s nonetheless very aggressive battle, and we [are] not going to underestimate this man.”
