Arman Tsarukyan draws comparisons between upcoming opponent Islam Makhachev and Khabib Nurmagomedov: "He's more well-rounded"

Arman Tsarukyan is days out from his rematch with Islam Makhachev and comparisons have once again been drawn between Makhachev and his mentor Khabib Nurmagomedov. Tsarukyan looks to avenge his prior setback to Makhachev and become the lightweight champion in the process at UFC 311 on Jan. 18.

The title challenger sat down before this weekend's pay-per-view main event to talk with Caroline Pearce of UFC on TNT Sports about several subjects. When asked about previously calling Khabib an inspiration as well as the GOAT of the lightweight division and how Makhachev compares to Nurmagomedov, Tsarukyan said,

"Yeah, if you beat Islam, you're gonna beat Khabib's gameplan.... Islam is a new version of Khabib. He's more well-rounded than Khabib but Khabib has better wrestling. His ground and pound way better. On the ground, Khabib one of the best... It's a dream fight [versus Khabib]."

Check out Tsarukyan's comparison of Nurmagomedov and Makhachev below:

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Arman Tsarukyan is more focused on money fights post-UFC 311

Arman Tsarukyan seems more motivated by blockbuster bouts than legacy-galvanizing fights once the dust settles this weekend. Speaking to the Pound 4 Pound podcast on this subject, Tsarukyan quipped,

"When I win the title, the sports thing is done. It's going to start being just business, and I'm going to pick with who UFC pays me more. I'm going to fight. [It] doesn't matter who it's going to be. It's going to be a business thing, not just a sport. Right now, it's the legacy, to be champion, and then business."

The 28-year-old went on to state how he was far less focused on becoming a two-time champion or defending the belt 10 times. Instead, the focus would be predominantly on garnering the biggest prizefights thereafter.

Tsarukyan was specific in mentioning how he was not overlooking the task that stood in front of him. The 155-pound title challenger also quipped about how unpredictable things can get sometimes.

To this, Arman Tsarukyan offered a hypothetical that perhaps his father could tell him he's done with the sport and that he can come work to make money with him since he became champion.

For Islam Makhachev, this Saturday night provides him a chance to make history. Makhachev has an opportunity to become the first lightweight champion in the promotion to notch four straight title defenses. But a hungry contender looking to avenge a closely contested loss waits in the wings.