UFC champ Islam Makhachev dismisses Arman Tsarukyan's 'secret technique' as all talk

LOS ANGELES – Islam Makhachev doubts Arman Tsarukyan truly has anything special in store for him at UFC 311.

Makhachev (26-1 MMA, 15-1 UFC) defends his lightweight title in a rematch against Tsarukyan (22-3 MMA, 9-2 UFC) in Saturday’s main event (pay-per-view, ESPNews/Disney+, ESPN+) at Intuit Dome.

Tsarukyan teased a never before seen “secret technique” that he plans on using against Makhachev. However, Makhachev isn’t buying any of his talk.

“Man, I told you don’t believe what Arman says,” Makhachev said Wednesday at UFC 311 media day. “Because last time, he said (he) will finish (Charles) Oliveira in one round, but they go all distance, and he won by split decision. That’s why don’t believe him.”

Makhachev has beaten Tsarukyan before, and despite Tsarukyan’s vast improvements since his UFC debut, Makhachev doesn’t see him as his sternest test to date.

“No,” Makhachev responded. “If I give him a chance to work, he’s going to be dangerous. He’s going to be tough fight, but all of the guys who I fought lost five times. I don’t know, they always dangerous. Oliveira, one of the most dangerous guys in our division.

“How many submissions, how many knockouts he has? Volkanovski, one of the toughest guys in our sport. It’s MMA. All fighters, contenders, when you fight for the title, are all dangerous. If I let them work, it’s going to be a tough fight, but if I can follow my plan, it’s going to be easy inshallah.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 311.