Arman Tsarukyan Astonished by Islam Makhachev’s Dominant UFC 322 Victory
Arman Tsarukyan expressed admiration for Islam Makhachev’s impressive performance at UFC 322. Makhachev won the welterweight title in a decisive victory over Jack Della Maddalena at Madison Square Garden. Tsarukyan had initially been scheduled to fight Makhachev for the lightweight championship earlier this year. However, a back injury forced him to withdraw from that fight.
Tsarukyan Prepares for a Pivotal Matchup
Following Makhachev’s dominance, Tsarukyan aims to regain his spot in the lightweight title chase. He is set to face Dan Hooker in the main event at UFC Qatar. This fight will take place at the Ali Bin Hamad al-Attiyah Arena, marking the event’s debut in Doha. Fans can watch the matchup live on ESPN+.
Tsarukyan’s Reflections on Makhachev’s Victory
Reflecting on Makhachev’s recent fight, Tsarukyan noted how easy Makhachev made it look against Della Maddalena. He remarked, “A very good performance. I was shocked how he beat [Della Maddalena] so easy.” Tsarukyan acknowledged Makhachev’s current level of skill, stating that Makhachev is performing at a prime level in both the lightweight and welterweight divisions.
Challenges and Lessons Learned
Having to withdraw from UFC 311 was a significant hurdle for Tsarukyan. The injury occurred just a day before the fight, leading to backlash from fans and comments from UFC CEO Dana White about needing to “fight his way back” for a title shot. Tsarukyan learned an important lesson through this experience.
- “Don’t overtrain,” he advised, sharing insights on his recovery process.
- Tsarukyan has changed his training regimen, incorporating more hiking and cycling to prevent future injuries.
Current Landscape of the Lightweight Division
With Islam Makhachev no longer in the picture for the lightweight title, Ilia Topuria currently holds the championship after a first-round knockout of Charles Oliveira at UFC 317. Tsarukyan expressed mixed feelings about the shift in power within the division.
He stated, “Yeah, [it’s] pretty good [with Topuria as lightweight champ]. But I wish Islam was a champion in our division… because he takes fights with contenders and fights with everybody.” Tsarukyan believes Topuria may be seeking easier opponents, shifting the competitive dynamics in the lightweight class.
As he prepares for the fight against Hooker, Tsarukyan remains focused on climbing back to title contention, motivated by the performances of top fighters like Makhachev. His upcoming bout is crucial in determining his path forward in the lightweight division.
