The current UFC lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev, is ready to defend the belt against his compatriot Arman Tsarukyan if the organization’s management decides to name him as an official contender for the title.
“If the leadership wants to put him next, why not,” the Russian told reporters in Dagestan. “He is trying to make a name for himself on my name, but I think it’s time for him to prove himself with his fights and rock himself. I will not evaluate his words – let him fight, win, and maybe he will reach the title page “
However, Makhachev believes that Tsarukyan is not among the fighters among whom the leadership of the organization will look for his next opponent.
“I still can’t say for sure whether Charles Oliveira will be next – we’ll wait until Justin Gaethje and Dustin Poirier fight, and then the UFC will decide. Of course, it would be better for me if a new name appears on the list of losers, but if Oliveira is not put on, everyone will say that I avoided him, but I do not choose my opponents. Whoever the leadership decides will be put next. Even if they offer Alex Volkanovski, I will gladly have a rematch with him.
Arman Tsarukyan issued another challenge to the champion after finishing with a TKO in the third round of Brazilian Joaquim Silva at UFC on ESPN 47 in Las Vegas, and Islam Makhachev plans to make his next title defense on October 21 at UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi.
Source: https://fighttime.ru/news/item/31852-islam-makhachev-otvetil-na-vyzov-armana-tsarukyana.html?rand=19907
