Ahead of the biggest fight of his career thus far, Arman Tsarukyan has attempted to find an edge over Islam Makhachev during his UFC 311 training camp.
In the UFC 311 main event this coming Saturday, Arman Tsarukyan will finally get the chance to avenge his loss to Islam Makhachev six years ago when they met at UFC Russia in Tsarukyan’s UFC debut.
Ahead of their rematch, Tsarukyan has gotten into insane shape and will look to dethrone the Russian who is looking to break the UFC record for the most title defenses in lightweight division history.
Although ‘Ahalakalakets’ has recently admitted that he isn’t 100% committed to MMA during his training camp, he has drafted in the help of the only fighter to have ever beaten Makhachev.
Arman Tsarukyan was left spitting blood after sparring Adriano Martins
Back in 2015 at UFC 192, Makhachev was knocked out in the first round by Adriano Martins, losing his then 12-0 undefeated record.
After that, the Russian went on to clear out everyone in his way, becoming the pound-for-pound number one fighter in the process, now reigning over the lightweight division.
With the 33-year-old looking relatively unbeatable as the champion, Tsarukyan has been training with Martins ahead of UFC 311, and has admitted that after one of their sparring sessions he was left spitting blood.
“I’ll tell you straight, his punch is insane. It’s not just a lucky punch, as people say,” Tsarukyan began to explain in an interview with Ushatayka.
“He landed two punches like that on me during sparring, and… no one has ever hit me like that. He caught me once, and my eye swelled up completely, turned all blue.
“I don’t know, I spat blood for two weeks, man. His power is natural, absolutely insane. He just hits incredibly hard. That right hook and that straight left, they’re just crazy,” he continued to explain.
Because of Makhachev’s success following his loss to Martins, a lot of the fanbase claimed that the punch landed by the Brazilian was lucky, however, Tsarukyan disagrees.
“Not surprising at all. I also thought it was a lucky punch, but after sparring with him… When he landed that right hook on me, I realized it’s better to box at distance with this guy,” he finished.
What’s next following UFC 311?
If Makhachev does in fact break the UFC record with a fourth successful title defense, he has previously hinted at a potential move up to the welterweight division to fight Belal Muhammad.
Former champion, Charles Oliveira is seemingly next in line for the lightweight title shot after picking up a win against Michael Chandler at UFC 309.
Tsarukyan, despite claiming he will only fight for money if he picks up the title has also highlighted ‘Do Bronx’ as the only worthy next challenger in the 155lb division.