Arman Tsarukyan’s journey to a lightweight title shot has earned him widespread praise. From making his UFC debut against Islam Makhachev to now challenging him for the title, his rise has been remarkable. Like many fighters, Tsarukyan has his own idol and inspiration, and surprisingly, it’s none other than the legendary Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Tsarukyan has previously expressed admiration for both Khabib Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev, recognizing Khabib’s legendary status in MMA. While he believes Makhachev has a more well-rounded skill set, especially in striking, Tsarukyan recently revealed that Khabib was a significant source of inspiration early in his career. In a video shared by the UFC, the Armenian fighter said,
“One of my friends told me, ‘You gotta watch Khabib fight!’ I watched his fights, and I liked them so much, and so started following all his blogs.”
👀 Arman Tsarukyan took inspiration for his early career from Khabib Nurmagomedov:
— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) January 11, 2025
“One of my friends told me, 'You gotta watch Khabib fight!' I watched his fights, and I liked them so much, and so started following all his blogs.”
🎥 @ufc ▫️ pic.twitter.com/XzKX8jFSaN
Despite Khabib being part of Tsarukyan’s rival team, the title challenger has openly praised their squad. Fans are eagerly awaiting the highly anticipated title fight on January 18, which promises to be an exciting showdown.
Arman Tsarukyan Sets Sights On Charles Oliveira After UFC 311 Title Fight
Tsarukyan is already thinking ahead to future matchups. While preparing to face Islam Makhachev for the lightweight title, he has also expressed interest in a rematch with Charles Oliveira. Speaking to TNT Sports, Tsarukyan named himself, Oliveira, and Makhachev as the top three fighters in the division. He praised Oliveira’s accomplishments and stated that if he became champion, he wanted to defend his title against Oliveira.
“Charles Oliveira is one of the best in our division. And I feel like Islam [Makhachev] Charles Oliveira and me are the top three in the lightweight division right now. Because Charles beat everybody in the top 15. I beat everybody too. Islam like he’s champ Pound-for-Pound,” the Armenian fighter said.
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Tsarukyan also acknowledged Makhachev’s status as the pound-for-pound champion. Looking ahead, Tsarukyan expressed a strong desire to face Oliveira in the future, stating that once he becomes champion, he would like to defend his title against the Brazilian and aims to finish him in the fight.
Also Read: VIDEO: Arman Tsarukyan Battles Khamzat Chimaev In Epic Wrestling Showdown On Russian Reality Show
