“He can compete, but can he win – I doubt it, to be honest,” the Kazakhstani fighter said in an interview with the channel “Ushatayka”. “It’s one thing to compete – anyone can compete, but it’s just another level. Arman does not hold well in the stalls. If Arman leaves Islam, Islam will get up, but if Islam transfers, it will be hard for Arman to get up from under him.”
“I noticed that Arman’s painful holds are lame, submissions – few of them do. Islam does not miss its opportunities. You can compete, but to win, to give an equal fight is another thing. I don’t see Arman being able to beat Islam in the UFC.”
Arman Tsarukyan got his career back on track last weekend with a unanimous decision win over Damir Ismagulov, while Islam Makhachev is gearing up for his title defense against Alexander Volkanovski, who he will face on February 12 at UFC 284 in Perth.