Reports: Former foe Arman Tsarukyan was offered Islam Makhachev rematch at UFC Vegas 49 but refused


Reports: Former foe Arman Tsarukyan was offered Islam Makhachev rematch at UFC Vegas 49 but refused

man Tsarukyan refused to Islam Makhachev

Arman Tsarukyan beat Joel Alvarez at UFC Vegas 49 in the second round of the fight via a TKO. Arman dominated Alvarez the whole fight. Despite the height advantage, he couldn’t defend himself from getting those ground and pound. 

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Arman destroyed Alvarez with those heavy shots and elbows. Alvarez’s nose got broken and the fight was a total blood bath for Joel.  However, Joel still continued to fight in the second round even after the brutal beating. But, wasn’t at his best to fight with all that beating he got in the first round itself.

This was Arman’s fifth consecutive win inside the promotion. Tsarukyan now has a  record of 5-1 in UFC with two finishes and three decision wins. This dominating win got him the performance of the night bonus making him earn a total of $105,000.

Arman Tsarukyan refused to fight Islam Makhachev at UFC Vegas 49

Arman Tsarukyan refused to Islam Makhachev
Arman Tsarukyan refused to fight Islam Makhachev

Interestingly, before coming to this fight against Joel Alvarez, Arman was offered the main event of the UFC Vegas 49 to go against Islam Makhachev. But, like many others, Arman didn’t accept the offer. 

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This was first reported by Aaron Bronsteter. He tweeted: “I was offered a fight against Islam Makhachev on improved terms. I don’t regret giving up. I need to prepare for this fight. I think that we will meet again.”

The reason laid by the Russian is certainly valid. No one would want to fight against Makhachev on such short notice considering how difficult of a challenge he is. Moreover, coming to this fight at UFC Vegas 49, Arman was sailing with four consecutive wins. So, no one would want to put their winning streak on the line on such short notice.

However, in the post-fight octagon interview, Tsarukyan revealed his interest of fighting the Dagestani Islam Makhachev in the future. He proposed Islam a fight in Russia. 

It’s my goal, you know. Because it’s going to be a good match. We had a match in Russia, you know. I’d like fight it there and same location, you know, because I have a lot of fans there and he has a lot of fans there. It’s going to be great match, you know, because we are the best in our division, I think so,” said Arman.

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It is to be mentioned that both the fighters have previously fought each other back in 2019 in Russia. This one Arman’s debut fight in the promotion. Makhachev got the better hand in the fight and won it via decision. Interestingly, that fight was declared as the fight of the night.

Also Read: “Arman Tsarukyan just turned it into a bloodbath”- Dan Hardy, Aljamain Sterling, and more react to the late stoppage at UFC Vegas 49