Every champion faces moments where their invincibility is called into question. But what happens when that comes from someone who’s already stood across the cage from them? As we gear up for UFC 311, Islam Makhachev’s second-time opponent is making bold claims about his weaknesses. Claims that have even earned a nod from the Dagestani’s own camp.

Arman Tsarukyan’s criticism of Makhachev isn’t just bravado. ‘Team Khabib’ faithful and coach, Javier Mendez, seems to agree with some of it. Speaking to Helen Yee Sports, Mendez said, “He’s stating facts. He did take him down… and he hasn’t stated anything I thought was inaccurate. He stated what he wants to do and how he feels he’s going to do it, and those are all things that you’d be concerned about because he’s very confident.”

The AKA head coach also acknowledged that while Ahalkalakets’ takedown wasn’t easy, it gave him motivation and confidence for the fight. “Islam is nowhere near what he was back then. He’s so much better in every area, and so is Arman. I look at two guys coming in at their peak.” Despite these positive words for Tsarukyan, Mendez remains unwavering in his belief that Makhachev is the pound-for-pound best.

So, what’s the #1 lightweight contender saying that’s got everyone buzzing? For starters, he’s not buying into the hype around Makhachev’s so-called invincibility. “He’s not as good as people think,” Tsarukyan said confidently in an interview with ESPN. “People think he’s unbeatable and a crazy wrestler, but I took him down when I was 22 years old.”

Is Tsarukyan onto something here, or is this just the type of confidence we expect from a fighter hungry for a title?

What fuels Arman Tsarukyan’s confidence ahead of his UFC 311 clash

Looking back, that first fight in 2019 was a pivotal moment for Tsarukyan. “When I was young, UFC was super big for me. I thought it was impossible to get there,” he shared. “When I got there and I started to fight, I understood I was a guy who can be a champ here.”

Though Tsarukyan lost that fight via unanimous decision, he left knowing he belonged. And now, he’s returning with more experience, confidence, and a clearer mission. “I’m a good wrestler, I’m a good striker, but I didn’t have good experience at that moment,” he admitted. That’s no longer the case.

With UFC 311 just around the corner, the stakes couldn’t be higher. For the Armenian, this is about chasing his dream of becoming a champion. “No money, nothing. No hype, followers. Just title,” he said. “This is what I want to get. I wake up (thinking) about (the) title. I go to sleep thinking about (the) title.”

For Makhachev, it’s about solidifying his legacy as the best lightweight on the planet. And with Umar Nurmagomedov fighting for the bantamweight title in the co-main event, there’s added pressure on the Dagestani clan. The stakes are incredibly high, and the pressure to deliver a double championship for ‘Team Khabib’ could weigh heavily on both Islam and Umar.

The big question is, can Tsarukyan pull off the upset at UFC 311? Or has Islam Makhachev evolved too much since their first encounter to be beaten? So, what do you think? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!