Mi͏ch͏ae͏l͏ C͏ha͏͏͏n͏dler and ͏Arma͏͏n Tsaru͏k͏͏yan͏ ͏͏h͏av͏e b͏een v͏͏er͏bally sparring͏ ͏w͏͏ith͏ each͏ other͏. They eye ͏a͏ c͏͏la͏sh͏ w͏͏i͏t͏h ͏to͏͏p͏ c͏onten͏d͏͏e͏rs͏ in the ͏promot͏ion ͏͏wit͏hin th͏e ͏nex͏t ͏t͏h͏ree ͏͏͏mo͏n͏͏t͏͏hs͏͏. ͏As they͏͏ ͏p͏͏re͏p͏a͏re ͏͏͏fo͏͏r the͏i͏r ͏͏upc͏o͏ming f͏͏͏ig͏͏ht͏͏s, ne͏i͏͏ther ͏has ͏h͏eld ͏͏b͏ack͏ fro͏m ͏͏͏ca͏͏l͏͏li͏͏͏n͏͏g t͏he ot͏͏͏her ou͏t.͏ After Arman Tsarukyan called Chandler an easy fight for Charles Oliveira, ‘Iron’ slapped back at the Armenian by calling him a subpar fight for the champion, Islam Makhachev.

The UFC fraternity expects Arman Tsarukyan to face Islam Makhachev at UFC 311 next February to claim his lightweight title shot. And ahead of his fight, Michael Chandler has come forward to take a sleek jab at the number one contender. It happened despite staying respectful for the most part. While conversing with the New York Post, Chandler emphasized that Tsarukyan is a new blood who will rise to his peak, “He’s just a young, hungry dude making his presence be known He’s matured. He’s got some great wins. His last win was over Oliveira, my next opponent, so he’s earned this title shot.”

He continued, “This is going to be a rematch with him and Islam. He’s doing his thing, but yeah, he doesn’t like me, says bad things about me. After he beat Oliveira, I actually went back and congratulated him.”

“Im going to always operate like I don’t necessarily like my opponent, but I don’t have anything against him. I don’t go into the octagon with any malice or ill-will in my heart,” Chandler added.

“That’s where I perform the best. Like I said, a happy fighter is a dangerous fighter, and that’s my own personal anecdote of my career thus far, but Arman’s doing his thing. I wish him well. I think Islam absolutely smokes him, but at least he’s got great,” concluded the lightweight fighter.

Th͏e l͏a͏st t͏ime Isl͏am͏ Makhachev fought ͏Ar͏man Tsaruk͏yan, their bout went to ͏a deci͏si͏on wit͏h Makhachev clai͏ming victory b͏y unanimou͏s decisi͏on͏.͏ Notably, it was͏ Tsa͏r͏ukyan’s debut ͏fight͏ in the promotion͏. Soon after, he immediately matc͏hed ͏up aga͏in͏s͏t Mak͏ha͏chev. Now, years ͏after their first clash, they ͏are set to face each other, yet again. Well, Islam Makhachev has grown a lot since their last fight, but Tsarukyan is sure he is confident about his victory.

Arman Tsarukyan believes in his abilities to defeat Islam Makhachev

Arman Tsarukyan will probably face Islam Makhachev at UFC 311 before their clash. Tsarukyan has emphasized he acknowledges he has what it takes to take on Islam Makhachev. While having a conversation about his villain origin story in his documentary video, Tsarukyan stated he would defeat Makhachev by wrestling his way out of him.

“Be better everywhere. Be prepared for five hard rounds. With a good gas tank, good wrestling defense, good boxing, and good taekwondo… If I manage to fine-tune everything in my game and not let him do what he likes to do, outsmart him in some [certain] aspects; then I can beat him. He’s just a man. That’s why some champions dominate [because] their opponents lack self-confidence,” said Arman Tsarukyan.

He further added, “Like ‘What is Islam going to do?’ I’m not thinking about what he’s going to do. I’m focused on what I’m going to do [and] how I am going to attack. Islam is good in all aspects [of MMA], but it’s not like there is an aspect where you can’t outsmart him… It’s possible to outplay him at boxing, kickboxing, wrestling and on the ground. You just need to be ready for anything.” 

With two months remaining for their anticipated fight, both fighters would aim to claim the lightweight title. Who do you think will win the title? State your thoughts in the comments below.