“Islam Makhachev didn’t have anyone who looked like Arman in his style.” Vartanyan faces knockout from Tsarukyan

In the main fight of the UFC tournament in Austin, Arman Tsarukyan knocked out Beneil Dariush with a knee to the head in the second minute. Before that, only Charles Oliveira could defeat Dariush in nine fights.

Tsarukyan was in eighth place in the lightweight rankings (up to 70.3 kg), but now he will definitely rise higher and the UFC will think about what it will offer him. Arman has two powerful assets – in the top ten of the rankings, he is the only one with a three-fight winning streak. And he alone has a good fight against UFC champion Islam Makhachev. In April 2019, they already fought and reached a decision of the judges, where Islam became the winner. For comparison, in the current top 15, Makhachev fought with four fighters and succeeded in each of them ahead of schedule.

At the same time, Makhachev himself wants to come to the tournament next weekend and, perhaps, will call the fighter who will remain with the belt in the category up to 77 kg. The most promising fight for Tsarukyan would then be against Justin Gaethje or Charles Oliveira, who occupy the second and first places in the lightweight rankings. The main thing is that Tsarukyan is only 27 years old and, it seems, he has enough time for everyone. One of Russia’s best lightweights, Eduard Vartanyan, watched the fight in Texas and shared his impressions for .

— By the way, when did you start communicating with Tsarukyan?

— In 2016, we prepared together for the battles in Dagestan, Izberbash, and met there. I was preparing for a confrontation with Alexandre Chablius.

—So it’s just a coincidence that we got there at the same time?

– Yes. Arman was already fighting very well at the time, he translated, he was downright dominating, but when it came to striking techniques, he of course sagged. And now, if you look at our sparring, there is no difference in level. He works well, he kicked me in the liver several times.

— Do you have a weight difference?

“He’s not as big as me now, he’s a real lightweight.” I now weigh 88 kg, and still keep in shape, work with a nutritionist.

— What are your impressions of the UFC tournament in Austin and the round of 16?

— The stadium was simply torn to pieces, and everything was occupied right down to the last rows. Very atmospheric. A confident victory for Arman, and a very serious bid for the long-awaited rematch, a title fight with Islam Makhachev.

— Teams of fighters usually discuss MMA-related news. Have you heard that Islam himself is planning to come to the United States next week and call the winner of the Leon Edwards-Colby Covington fight?

– I haven’t heard anything about this. We were in Austin all week, losing weight, training – this is the result.

— From the first Thai boxing lessons, we learn not to bend in close combat. Can you explain why elite lightweight Beneil Dariush made this mistake?

— We need to look at what happened before and then understand the reaction. Armand hit the postman – left-left-right – and Dariush, protecting himself from Armand’s blow of his hand, simply crouched. At that point, Armand strikes with his knee and adds the right kick of the same name. And he hit the chin very clearly.

—Was that the combination you were practicing?

– Yes of course. Literally this morning. But it happened all over the camp. In general, the plan was to attack in different ways.

— If everything hadn’t been done so quickly, how do you think this fight would have evolved?

– I thought there would be a quick victory by finishing on the ground in the 3-4th round, but I made an express bet, there was a victory for Arman, so my bet was concluded.

—Did you fight with Arman?

– No. He spent all camp in Miami and we met him here in Austin.

— How do you imagine the fight between Islam Makhachev and Arman Tsarukyan five years later?

– A very very interesting confrontation, Arman is clearly not the same athlete as during their first confrontation. He has every chance of winning, and of doing it magnificently.

— How can he be better than Islam Makhachev today?

– In the strict implementation of the plan. The key factor here will be who can best implement their plan in battle. And in something specific… at this level, you can’t say that someone will be better at fighting or hitting. The fight can go either way. But from their first confrontation, it’s clear that this is an interesting confrontation.

— What can Arman offer Islam Makhachev today?

— A clear and refined technique and a battle plan that will be implemented. Beneil Dariush is a good fighter, and he was also southpaw, so it will be easier for Armand in some ways. But in recent confrontations, Islam has not had anyone whose style resembles that of Arman Tsarukyan. Arman works with his feet and fights.

— Have you ever discussed this fight with Arman, and how often does Makhachev’s name come up during conversations?

“Obviously that name comes up, but after such a confident victory, this confrontation will be much more interesting than Islam’s revenge against Oliveira. I think anyone who understands this will confirm it. Perhaps it will be less of a media battle, but if we are talking about interest and level, then of course it is.

— At the very beginning of the tournament, you posted a selfie with Dana White. What did we talk about?

– What Manny Gamburyan (he played in the UFC from 2011 to 2015 – ) told him about me.

— What are your prospects of signing with the UFC?

— So far, everything is very difficult. We still don’t know what and how. No specific information. Nothing of the word “at all”.

— Has Dana White recognized you as one of the best lightweights in the world?

— No, no, here you understand that everything that happens in Russia interests no one at all. They are interested in what is happening in America.

– In other words, he thought you were just some kind of MMA fan.

“He walked by, took pictures with everyone and we did the same with him.

— Shovkhal Churchchaev drives next to you in the car. Will he try to enter the UFC (official record 3-0, known for his fights outside official competitions. – )?

– (Shovhal begins to speak) I have a desire, I have a goal, I will achieve it soon. There is a general atmosphere at the UFC! This is a different level, it is unlikely that anyone will be able to reach it. You just sit back and enjoy watching the fights.

— What will you do if you still can’t sign a contract with the UFC? — question again to Vartanyan

— I gave myself a certain amount of time in which I should try to sign with the UFC. Otherwise, I will return to Russia, where I have an offer.

I had little choice, I followed my dream, I understood what I was doing. And therefore, the level of fighters here is no different from that of the Russians.

– What’s your next step?

– I’m just waiting. I’m waiting for any option, any thread. There will now be many tournaments in Las Vegas and I am training there. If suddenly there is an opportunity to compete at short notice in the category up to 77 kg, I will be ready.

Live broadcasts of mixed martial arts tournaments can be seen on and Match! Fighter”, as well as on the sites matchtv.ru and sportbox.ru.