Arman Tsarukyan was shocked at how simple Islam Makhachev made his title win look at UFC 322.
Makhachev (28-1 MMA, 17-1 UFC) dominated Jack Della Maddalena (18-3 MMA, 8-1 UFC) to claim the welterweight belt this previous Saturday at Madison Square Garden in New York.
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Tsarukyan (22-3 MMA, 9-2 UFC), who was lined up to problem Makhachev for the light-weight title at UFC 311 before withdrawing, had high reward for his former foe.
“I was super impressed when I was watching the fight because it was so easy,” Tsarukyan instructed TNT Sports. “It’s kind of a champion fighting with an amateur. He showed he’s on a different level. I thought JDM could do more than he did. Islam is way better than everybody right now. He’s really pound-for-pound (No. 1), and at 170, it’s going to be difficult to beat him there.”
With Makhachev now at 170 kilos, Tsarukyan may never get the alternative to avenge his UFC debut loss.
“It was my fault,” Tsarukyan said. “I overtrained, hurt myself and I couldn’t fight. But you never know. I’m going to become a champion, and who knows? Maybe I move up, or we’ll see. But right now, my goal is (Dan) Hooker and then the title.”
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Tsarukyan takes on Dan Hooker (24-12 MMA, 14-8 UFC) in Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 265 (ESPN+) important occasion at ABHA Arena in Doha, Qatar.
This article initially appeared on MMA Junkie: Arman Tsarukyan: UFC 322 headliner was like a champion vs. an novice
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