Tsarukyan Reflects on First Fight with Makhachev and Future Plans

10 hours ago7 min read

Looking back at that first fight with Islam Makhachev in April 2019 at the UFC event in Saint Petersburg feels like analyzing a young Lionel Messi's first Clasico against Real Madrid—a brutal but necessary lesson that forges a champion's mentality. Arman Tsarukyan, now a top contender in the UFC's shark-tank lightweight division, doesn't view his unanimous decision loss that night as a failure but as the foundational motivation for his entire career trajectory since, a constant reminder of the level required to dethrone a pound-for-pound great.He reflects that a victory in that initial octagon encounter might have bred a dangerous complacency, a potential 'what if' scenario where early success leads to a cascade of subsequent losses, whereas the defeat instilled a relentless hunger, driving him through grueling training camps with the singular focus of earning a rematch and securing victory. Tsarukyan reveals a frustrating setback in this pursuit, a severe back injury that forced him to withdraw from a scheduled January rematch, a twist of fate that delayed the highly anticipated showdown and added another layer of narrative to this burgeoning rivalry.His current calculus is fascinating, looking at the championship landscape with the strategic mind of a football manager plotting a title run; if he can capture the UFC lightweight gold by early next year and Makhachev successfully conquers the welterweight division, the stage is set for a historic 'superfight' that transcends weight classes, a legacy-defining clash reminiscent of super-bouts like McGregor vs. Diaz.This isn't just about personal redemption; it's about etching his name in the annals of MMA history, a goal that fuels every punch, every takedown, and every early morning session. The statistics from their first fight tell one story—control time, significant strikes—but the five years of evolution since tell another, with Tsarukyan sharpening his formidable wrestling and explosive striking into a more complete, battle-tested arsenal.The lightweight division, much like a fiercely competitive football league, is in a constant state of flux, with contenders like Charles Oliveira and Justin Gaethje always lurking, but Tsarukyan's path is clear, his focus laser-like on the man who handed him his first UFC loss. This potential superfight narrative adds a thrilling dimension, echoing cross-divisional super fights of the past, promising not just a title but a claim to being one of the sport's true greats, a chance to settle a score and redefine the hierarchy of the entire UFC in one fell swoop.

#featured

#Arman Tsarukyan

#Islam Makhachev

#UFC

#rematch

#motivation

#title fight

#interview

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