![Arman Tsarukyan label Khabib Nurmagomedov lightweight GOAT over Islam Makhachev [Image courtesy: Getty Images]](https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/12/517e2-17338712108660-1920.jpg)
![Arman Tsarukyan label Khabib Nurmagomedov lightweight GOAT over Islam Makhachev [Image courtesy: Getty Images]](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http%3A//www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20xmlns%3Axlink='http%3A//www.w3.org/1999/xlink'%20viewBox='0%200%2010%206.25'%3E%3Cfilter%20id='b'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20color-interpolation-filters='sRGB'%3E%3CfeGaussianBlur%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20stdDeviation='.5'%3E%3C/feGaussianBlur%3E%3CfeComponentTransfer%3E%3CfeFuncA%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20type='discrete'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20tableValues='1%201'%3E%3C/feFuncA%3E%3C/feComponentTransfer%3E%3C/filter%3E%3Cimage%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20filter='url(%23b)'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Arman Tsarukyan recently weighed in on whether Islam Makhachev is greater than Khabib Nurmagomedov at his peak and heaped praise on the UFC Hall of Famer. He shared his thoughts on why 'The Eagle' is greater and opened up about watching his fights as a fan.
Fans have wondered whether Makhachev has or could in the future surpass 'The Eagle's legacy. He currently has three successful title defenses, which is tied with his longtime mentor and friend, and could pass him should he defeat Tsarukyan at UFC 311 next month.
During his latest appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show, the No.1-ranked lightweight shared his thoughts on the Nurmagomedov vs. Makhachev debate:
"It's a tough question because Khabib [Nurmagomedov], for me, is a different level fighter. Not just a fighter, but a man, you know? So, I like Khabib more than Islam [Makhachev]...When I was young, I watched all of Khabib's fights, and for me, he's the GOAT in our division right now."
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Check out Arman Tsarukyan's comments below:
Arman Tsarukyan discusses Khabib Nurmagomedov cornering Islam Makhachev for their fight
In addition to sharing his thoughts on the Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Islam Makhachev debate, Arman Tsarukyan also discussed 'The Eagle' cornering the champion for their main event bout at UFC 311.
The Armenian noted that he was a fan of the former lightweight champion but doesn't feel any more nervous. On the contrary, Tsarukyan believes it will fire him up more seeing Nurmagomedov in the opposing corner.
During the aforementioned appearance, Tsarukyan mentioned that he is thrilled that Nurmagomedov will be in Makhachev's corner as it would be more gratifying should he defeat him:
"[Nurmagomedov cornering Makhachev] is gonna get me more energy because it's kind of [like] if I beat Islam, it's kind of like beating Khabib's team, you know?"
Check out the promotion's official announcement that Islam Makhachev vs. Arman Tsarukyan 2 will headline UFC 311 below:
