Arman Tsarukyan admits to turning down offer to train Alexander Volkanovski for title fight against Islam Makhachev

Alexander Volkanovski is preparing to face Islam Makhachev in February 2023 for UFC 284's main event. 'The Great' will be moving up in weight to face arguably the toughest test of his career.

Makhachev's incredible grappling prowess has appeared unbeatable, and Volkanovski recently sought the help of Arman Tsarukyan, who was able to match the Dagestani scramble for scramble. Tsarukyan fought the lightweight champion in 2019 at UFC Fight Night 149.

However, Tsarukyan admitted in a recent interview with matchtv.ru that he had declined to help 'The Great' in preparation for his upcoming bout. The Georgian stated the following:

"He tried to connect me to his training campI refused, because there was no point, I understood that at the moment I’m not actively training. I don’t think it makes sense for me to be in his camp even if there are financial benefits. If I had preparation, if I understood that I would go to Australia as a stand-in [for the fight], then most likely I would go."

Alexander Volkanovski is currently ranked No.1 in the UFC P4P rankings but has never faced a wrestler of Islam Makhachev's caliber. It is imperative that 'The Great' finds suitable training partners in order to be adequately prepared come fight night. However, Tsarukyan believes it may not be that easy.

"It will be very hard [to find sparring partners]. But by the way, I don’t look like me either, I have a different style, I don’t do those sweeps that Islam does. He is right handed and I am left handed. I can help in the fight, but to be considered a sparring partner similar to Islam."

Volkanovski will attempt to become a UFC double-champion in front of home fans as UFC 284 takes place in Perth, Australia.

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Alexander Volkanovski says his style will frustrate Islam Makhachev

Alexander Volkanovski recently spoke to former UFC champion Michael Bisping about his upcoming bout against Islam Makhachev. 'The Great' broke down the fight and shared the reasons why he thinks his style would work well against Makhachev's.

Volkanovski alluded to his elusive and deceptively quick movement on the feet and said the following:

"I'm pretty clever on the feet... they'll know they have to try and cut me off, but it's easier said than done... While I'm doing the movement he's gonna feel uncomfortable and find it a little bit frustrating and awkward to just shoot whenever."

Watch the video below from 10:00: