Ex-UFC champion unpacks Arman Tsarukyan's “insurance policy” after the title challenger’s surprising career admission

Arman Tsarukyan is preparing for the biggest fight of his life, a lightweight title contest against Islam Makhachev at UFC 311 on Jan. 18. However, the title challenger has shared a surprising admission about his MMA career ahead of the bout.

The Georgian-born Armenian stated in a recent interview with Red Corner MMA that he was not "100%" invested in his combat sports career.

But, according to former UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping, Tsarukyan's recent admission may be an "insurance policy" in case he loses his bout with Makhachev.

Bisping unpacked the comments made by 'Akhalkalakets' during a recent UFC 311 breakdown alongside boxing analyst and coach Teddy Atlas. 'The Count' said:

"He said he's not fully invested in this, I've got other things I can do with my life... I wonder if that is just him subconsciously already making an excuse for if he gets beaten. I don't know if that is the case, and I'm playing amateur psychologist now."

He continued:

"Why is he saying that when you're fighting for the lightweight title of the world? [Fighting] the toughest guy, you've worked your a** off to get to this point. And then a week out from the fight saying that you're not fully invested. I don't know, it just sounds like a bit of an insurance policy."

Check out Michael Bisping's comments on Arman Tsarukyan below (2:15):

---

Islam Makhachev will be "one step" ahead of Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 311, says Charles Oliveira

UFC 311 will be headlined by a lightweight title fight between Islam Makhachev and Arman Tsarukyan. After defeating Charles Oliveira at UFC 300 in an official title eliminator bout, Tsarukyan will now compete for UFC gold for the first time in his career.

Both main event fighters are regarded as world-class grapplers, and their first fight in 2019 at UFC Fight Night 149 saw an incredible wrestling display from both men. But with six years having passed since their first meeting, the pair have both grown immensely as fighters.

Former opponent of Makhachev and Tsarukyan, Oliveira, shared his prediction for the bout during a recent interview with The Schmo. 'Do Bronx' said:

"I do believe they are two tough fighters, I do believe that Islam has got a little step ahead just because of the fact that he's got some of that striking. I've seen Arman training, he's trained really hard. I'm putting it at 50/50, but it doesn't matter, who ever it is, I'm coming for [the title]."

Check out Charles Oliveira's prediction for Islam Makhachev vs. Arman Tsarukyan below (3:10):