Arman Tsarukyan gets brutally honest about why Islam Makhachev won't get an "immediate rematch" if he wins at UFC 311 

No.1-ranked UFC lightweight Arman Tsarukyan will rematch Islam Makhachev at UFC 311 early next year. The two first met in 2019 when Makhachev won a razor-close three-round fight. Now, they will battle for the belt as the Dagestani champion will put his UFC lightweight title on the line against the surging Armenian fighter.

Despite losing the close fight, Tsarukyan is considered the toughest challenge in Makhachev's near-10-year UFC run so far. He's gone 9-1 since losing to the champion and is currently on a four-fight winning streak.

Speaking to Ariel Helwani, Tsarukyan was asked if he's open to an immediate trilogy bout if he wins the rematch at UFC 311. To this, the 22-3 Armenian fighter said:

"I don't think so. It'll be Ramadan to fight as soon as possible. In May would be great. Because I got to make money. After the belt, I'm going to make money."

Check out Arman Tsarukyan's words below (via @Home_of_Fight on X):

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Revisiting Islam Makhachev vs. Arman Tsarukyan at UFC Fight Night 149 in 2019

In April 2019, Arman Tsarukyan debuted in the UFC by facing a 16-1 Islam Makhachev. The three-round battle was a back-and-forth affair that saw a lot of high-level wrestling and grappling exchanges. The bout won Fight of the Night, which is rare for a grappling-heavy contest.

The first round was so close that fans, fighters and pundits were divided on who won it. While Makhachev was able to take Tsarukyan to the ground, he wasn't able to keep him down or flatten him out. The Armenian always found a way to get back up and even took down the future champion momentarily.

The second round was pretty much the same story, with the two dead-even on the feet and on the ground. Tsarukyan was one of the few (perhaps the only) men who willingly engaged Makhachev in wrestling and grappling exchanges. This largely impeded the Dagestani wrestler's ability to hold him down as he was worried about wrestling defense as well.

Come the third and final round, exhaustion may have taken a toll as Makhachev was able to finally take Tsarukyan with relative ease, finishing the fight in top position. However, he wasn't able to seriously hurt Tsarukyan or put him in any desperate situation.

Watch the full fight below: