UFC 311: Islam Makhachev Dismisses Tsarukyan’s ‘Secret Technique’

Los Angeles – UFC lightweight Islam Makhachev is not intimidated or scared of opponent Arman Tsarukyan’s alleged “secret technique” at UFC 311 on Saturday night.

“Man I told you. Don’t believe what Arman says,” Makhachev told reporters including Cageside Press on Wednesday.

“Last time he says ‘I will finish (Charles) Oliveira by one round.” They go all distance and he won by split-decision. Don’t believe him.”

Makhachev’s explanation as to why fans shouldn’t believe Tsarukyan was as matter-of-fact as most of the things the lightweight champion says.

This isn’t the first time the two will meet. Makhachev defeated Tsarukyan via decision in 2019 in a bout that earned fight of the night honors. Clearly not worried about the challenger Makhachev hopes to bury any talk of a trilogy with a victory on Saturday.

“Third fight…I hope not. (It doesn’t) make sense three times fight with same guy. I think it’s new generation will come. We have most dangerous weight division. I believe this is one of the hardest weight classes(s) not just in UFC. In our sport,” he said.

“I need some new target.”

Makhachev’s teammate Umar Nurmagomedov will be challenging for the UFC bantamweight division in the co-main event. Should he, Makhachev and teammate Tagir Ulanbekov come out of UFC 311 victorious it could be a special night for their team.

“This is the biggest night for our team. Two guys fight for the title. Other guy fight also. That’s why it’s big day for Russian MMA, for Dagestan, for our gym. We’re so excited,” he said.

Nurmagomedov holds a special place on the team. He’s the cousin of UFC hall of famer Khabib Nurmagomedov and brother of Bellator lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov. Should he win the UFC bantamweight title on Saturday night it would mean the culmination of years of work most of them alongside Makhachev.

“I know Umar more than 10 years. This guy’s most disciplined guy in our gym. He travel a lot when he not in the UFC. He traveled with us a lot and he(‘s been) training last 10 years with us. Everywhere,” he told Cageside Press.

“This guy’s hungry. When he was young he (was) always thinking about UFC belt. He’s a hard worked. That’s why he’s a contender right now. That’s why he’s fighting for the belt. He deserve(s) it.”

Watch the entire media day scrum with Islam Makhachev above. He defends his lightweight title against Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 311 on Saturday night.