“When was last time you fought 2 times in 6 weeks?” Arman Tsarukyan calls out champion Islam Makhachev for ‘hypocritical’ statement

Arman Tsarukyan berates Islam Makhachev and slams him for comments regarding turning down the title shot.

“When was last time you fought 2 times in 6 weeks?” Arman Tsarukyan calls out champion Islam Makhachev for ‘hypocritical’ statement

Islam Makhachev and Arman Tsarukyan (via Imago)

Rivalries are a great part of UFC, especially if the fighters have already tested their mettle against each other once. Lightweight contender, Arman Tsarukyan blasted Islam Makhachev’s recent comments on repeatedly turning down fights against him. However, Tsarukyan says the Dagestani fighter is being hypocritical.

Tsarukyan took to social media platform X to voice his displeasure with Islam Makhachev’s recent comments. He took aim at Makhachev’s activity in the UFC and claimed that he was much more active than him. Moreover, the Armenian fighter accused Makhachev of wanting an advantage to face him. 

That’s just not truth. The truth is that you want to fight me on short notice to have an extra advantage. It won’t happen again though. When was the last time you fought 2 times in 6 weeks? @MAKHACHEVMMA
Arman Tsarukyan via X
YouTube video

Tsarukyan’s post referred to Makhachev pushing for a quick turnaround fight in early June. Arman Tsarukyan recently won against Charles Oliveira in April at UFC 300. This made him the #1 contender for the title shot. Makhachev was adamant on a June date. With only about seven weeks between dates, Tsarukyan felt he needed more time to prepare properly and thus had to decline.

FS Video

Makhachev is now set to fight against Dustin Poirier at UFC 302. Arman Tsarukyan will have his eyes set on this fight as the winner would be his next potential opponent. A showdown between Makhachev and Tsarukyan could be one of the most highly anticipated matchups in the stacked 155lb division. Both men are elite grapplers and maulers in the octagon. Tsarukyan’s call out of Makhachev adds extra spice to their potential clash.

Islam Makhachev commented on Arman Tsarukyan declining title shot

The UFC lightweight division has heated up with verbal jabs. Champion Islam Makhachev recently accused top contender Arman Tsarukyan of ducking him. In a recent interview, Makhachev claimed Tsarukyan rejected multiple UFC title fight offers.

Islam Makhachev berates Arman Tsarukyan
Islam Makhachev berates Arman Tsarukyan (via LockerRoom India)

Makhachev was recently speaking to NY Post Sports. He berated Arman Tsarukyan for ducking the rematch with him multiple times. He insinuated that Tsarukyan was afraid to fight him.

I’m not surprised [Arman turned it down]. Because this guy talks about rematch all his life, but… this maybe 3rd or 4th-time UFC gave him a chance to fight with me and he said no.…the UFC told me ‘we give you opponent after UFC 300,’ I knew if Arman beat [Charles] Oliveira, he [would] never take this fight. That’s why I’m not surprised.
Islam Makhachev via New York Post Sports

The comments stem from Tsarukyan declining a short-notice title bout against Makhachev at UFC 302 in early June. Makhachev believed the streaking Armenian-Russian contender was trying to avoid him. On the other hand, Tsarukyan does not want to repeat a mistake from their first fight. He took that fight on short notice and lost. Consequently, he does not want the history to repeat itself.

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