Arman Tsarukyan believes that only he can defeat Islam Makhachev

Except for himself, Arman Tsarukyan believes no one can beat UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev.

In his UFC debut in April 2019, Tsarukyan (18-3 MMA, 5-2 UFC) had that opportunity against Makhachev (23-1 MMA, 12-1 UFC), but he fell short in a high-level grappling match that garnered Fight of the Night.

Makhachev hasn't lost since, winning the UFC lightweight title with a strong submission finish of Charles Oliveira at UFC 280. Tsarukyan, on the other hand, has gone 5-1 since losing to Makhachev, with his lone defeat coming in a contentious decision to Mateusz Gamrot in June.

“Islam is on a different level. His wrestling is good; his striking is good. I know one guy who can beat him: It’s me,” he said during the media day ahead of his fight this weekend.

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Tsarukyan is aware that he must first return to Makhachev, It all starts with Saturday's UFC Fight Night 216 co-main event against the hotly tipped Damir Ismagulov (24-1 MMA, 5-0 UFC).

“If I’m gonna beat Damir and some of the top five, the UFC is gonna give me that opportunity. because it was my debut, and I gave him the toughest fight in his career,” he added.

He also had some harsh words about the UFC lightweight division recently and took shots at names like Charles Oliveira and Michael Chandler.

“They all should retire. I mean Chandler, Poirier and Gaethje. They should be taken off top 15, they only fight each other and no one else. They don’t want to fight anyone else. I don’t like this trio. Chandler really sucks. He won’t be able to do anything against Islam. He fought like an idiot against Gaethje. He is a wrestler and tries to brawl for some reason. He doesn’t make sense, old and better retire,” he said.

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What do you think of the quotes from Arman? Let us know in the comments below.

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