Arman Tsarukyan rematch still up in the air reveals Team Khabib; No contract offered from the UFC

UFC has offered no contract with regards to booking Team Khabib return against Arman Tsarukyan, says manager.

Arman Tsarukyan rematch still up in the air reveals Team Khabib; No contract offered from the UFC

Islam Makhachev's manager provides an update on rumored Arman Tsarukyan fight (Image via Imago and Open Source)

The 155lbs division has turned into a fortress of revolving champions for the Dagestani camp. The region got its first breakthrough when Khabib Nurmagomedov stormed his way to lightweight gold at UFC 223. On his retirement in 2020, the title slipped out of their grasp, only for Islam Makhachev to right that wrong. Now the Makhachev camp is looking to break new ground with title defense against Arman Tsarukyan next.

Not long ago, Team Khabib broke the news of accepting a fight for the January 18th UFC 311 card. No champion in 155lbs has ever been able to string together 4 title defenses before. It looks like Makhachev has a tough task ahead of him in an unconfirmed Arman Tsarukyan rematch. Makhachev’s manager addressed the growing rumors and the status of the supposed rematch.

No, the contract has not been signed. We personally have not signed or received anything. But we are preparing for January 18th. Back in September, we were given this date; we accepted it and there was no specific confirmation about the opponent yet. We assume it will be Arman Tsarukyan.

Islam Makhachev’s manager via X

Generally, UFC makes the fight announcement after confirmation from both camps. In case of super fights or main-event clashes, UFC Head Dana White breaks the news via his social channels. Thus far, the MMA giant has not offered any updates on UFC 311’s headliner, despite more fights being added to the card. Budding rumor suggests that the 155lbs strap will be up for grabs in the first PPV of 2025.

The Dagestani camp seems to have chalked out retirement plans for their champion already in 2024. Bellator’s reigning lightweight king, Usman Nurmagomedov, showcased interest in making a UFC run. This could eventually spell the end of the Makhachev era and install another Dagestani champion instead. But before that turnaround can happen, the Armenian contender has ideas to beat his arch-rival in UFC.

Arman Tsarukyan believes he has decoded Team Khabib’s champion

Partaking in a documentary series produced by Red Corner MMA, Arman Tsarukyan briefly addressed his rivalry with Makhachev. The number 1 ranked lightweight revealed not being adequately prepared due to a short-notice matchup in their first outing. But this time, Tsarukyan seems to have put together a method to outdo his rival.

Arman Tsarukyan has formulated a way to beat Islam Makhchev in rematch
Arman Tsarukyan has formulated a way to beat Islam Makhachev in rematch (Image via Open Source)

The 28-year-old fighter seems to have picked up on ideas that can be used to dethrone Makhachev. He specified that unlike Khabib Nurmagomedov, Makhachev is indeed quite beatable. Taking his first fight with the champion into account, he feels the secret to beating the current pound-for-pound king lies in a good game plan.

Be better everywhere. Be prepared for five hard rounds. With a good gas tank, good wrestling defense, good boxing and good taekwondo… If I manage to fine-tune everything in my game and not let him do what he likes to do, outsmart him in some aspects; then I can beat him.

Arman Tsarukyan via Red Corner MMA Documentary

Well, all signs point towards the January outing for lightweight king as UFC 311 is still without a header. The promotion is continuously booking fights for the PPV; fans can expect big news before Christmas. If not Islam, the card could also feature a middleweight title defense of Dricus Du Plessis, who has been out of action for quite some time.