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Arman Tsarukyan voiced a cryptic callout toward Islam Makhachev after competing in a grappling match.
On Friday, May 2, Tsarukyan returned to competition for the first time since pulling out of his lightweight title fight against Islam Makhachev.
The No.1-ranked UFC lightweight competed in a grappling bout at Karate Combat 54, defeating Makkasharip Zaynukov, a training partner of Makhachev and Khabib Nurmagomedov, by decision.
Following his winning performance, Tsarukyan called out Makhachev by saying:
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"I need one more guy from Khabib's team. Let's do it again."
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Dana White announced Arman Tsarukyan would have to defeat another top UFC lightweight contender before receiving a title shot. Tsarukyan was offered to fight the number seven-ranked Mateusz Gamrot in July, which he turned down and claimed the matchup was "disrespectful."
Watch Tsarukyan call out Makhachev below:
Arman Tsarukyan breaks down UFC lightweight title picture
Islam Makhachev expressed his wish to move up to welterweight instead of defending his lightweight title again. The pound-for-pound king has delayed the change in divisions due to his training partner, Belal Muhammad, being the 170-pound champion.
While speaking to MONK3, Arman Tsarukyan explained the UFC lightweight title picture by saying:
"Now [Islam] is deciding whether he will stay at 155 or move to 170. The situation is unclear now... Right now I am not in the title race, because I got injured, my turn has passed, but if there is [a fight] for the vacant title - I will fight for the vacant title. If [Islam] stays [at lightweight], he will fight with someone. Most likely, it will be Topuria. And after Topuria, he will fight with me if I win another fight or, let's say, if no new name comes up."
Tsarukyan added:
"If Islam fights on June 28th, then the next time he will fight is in October. [Islam] is waiting for the fight between Belal and Maddalena. If Belal wins, then he stays at lightweight. If Belal loses, then he will most likely move [to welterweight] and fight Maddalena so that he has two belts."
Arman Tsarukyan called for a rematch against Charles Oliveira or a fresh matchup against number six-ranked Dan Hooker. The 28-year-old Armenian claimed the offered bout against Mateusz Gamrot wouldn't solidify him a title shot."
Check out Arman Tsarukyan's comments below:
