'Don't believe him'… Islam Makhachev shuts down Arman Tsarukyan's 'secret move' claim ahead of UFC 311
01/16/2025 07:12 AM
Ahead of their UFC 311 lightweight title fight main event this coming Saturday, Islam Makhachev and Arman Tsarukyan have remained extremely respectful towards each other.
When they first met back in 2019, Arman Tsarukyan was coming in on just a few week’s notice and even had to cut weight at his own wedding to make sure he could make weight.
Islam Makhachev picked up the unanimous decision victory and went on to become the pound-for-pound best fighter on the planet, reigning over the lightweight division.
With their rematch looming this coming Saturday, Tsarukyan has pulled out all of the stops to avenge his loss to the Russian and even drafted in the help of the only fighter to ever beat Makhachev.
Islam Makhachev shuts down Tsarukyan’s ‘secret move’ claims
During the lead-up to their fight at UFC 311, ‘Ahalkalakets’ has hinted that he has been working on a secret move that he is planning on pulling out in the main event.
“Everybody is asking ‘Tell me your secret technique’, how can I tell you, ‘Okay, high kick’, I shouldn’t say the secret technique, everybody is asking the same question ‘What’s the secret technique?’ it doesn’t make sense to ask that question,” Tsarukyan teased at the UFC 311 media day.
“The technique, I have never seen in the UFC, in highlights as well. Yeah for sure (when you see it you’ll know), that technique you’re gonna say, ‘Wow what is that?’ like an upkick last fight, you’ve never seen me thrown an upkick… It’s gonna work if I throw it,” he continued.
Tsaruykan surprised fans when he threw an axe kick (upkick) in his last fight at UFC 300 against Charles Oliveira and went on to win the split decision.
Despite Tsarukyan teasing this special ‘secret move’, Makhachev isn’t too convinced by Tsarukyan’s words, imploring fans not to believe the 28-year-old.
“Man, I told you, don’t believe what Arman says because last time he said ‘I will finish Oliveira in one round’ but they went the distance and he won by split decision, that’s why you shouldn’t believe him,” Makhachev stated.
Islam Makhachev doesn’t want to fight Belal Muhammad or Shavkat Rakhmonov
Since winning the 155lb title, Makhachev has continuously hinted at a potential move up to the welterweight division to go for a second belt.
Current welterweight champion, Belal Muhammad will defend his title against Shavkat Rakhmonov next as the two were scheduled to clash back at UFC 310 but Muhammad withdrew due to a broken toe.
Despite Makhachev and Muhammad being friends and recent training partners, the Russian seemed open to potentially fighting ‘Remember The Name’, however, he has seemingly had a change of mind.
“Well, I know both guys. These are not the fights I would like, for sure. Both Belal Muhammad and Shavkat Rakhmonov are world-class fighters with all the skills and they are going to have a good fight coming up that I’m interested to see,” Makhachev stated.
