Athletistic/MMA. Russian-Armenian MMA fighter Arman Tsarukyan admitted he was offered a title fight with UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev in June, but he turned it down.

After that, the UFC management announced a fight between Makhachev and American Dustin Poirier.

According to Tsarukyan, he deliberately decided to take a break. The fighter wanted more time to prepare.

“They [UFC] kept Dustin Poirier on break. We were waiting for a winner in our duo. As soon as I took a step out of the cage, Hunter Campbell came up to me and said, “June 1 – Islam Makhachev.” » I haven’t had time to do anything yet, I turn to the manager and tell him that we need to discuss all this.

I just fought and couldn’t go back to training camp to prepare. I just wouldn’t have had the time, let alone prepare for a lefty. In addition, my microtraumas need to be treated, I need to rest for two to three weeks.

We learned when Tsarukyan will fight for the UFC title

If I accepted a fight against Makhachev now, there would be five weeks before that, and in this case there would be no good preparation. They thought they could bribe me with a new contract. But I’m not here for the money, I’m here for a specific purpose.

I need a good camp, to go through all the stages of preparation. I want to be in top shape on the day of the fight, so as not to have regrets later and not to make excuses like in the first fight. Therefore, I will fight the winner in the fall, ”quotes RBC Sport Tsarukyan.



Athletistic