LAS VEGAS – Beneil Dariush thinks Arman Tsarukyan has what it takes to threaten Islam Makhachev’s title reign.
It’s anticipated that Tsarukyan (22-3 MMA, 9-2 UFC) will problem light-weight titleholder Makhachev (26-1 MMA, 15-1 UFC) later this 12 months in a rematch of an April 2019 bout from UFC Combat Evening 149, which noticed Makhachev go away with a unanimous resolution win a highly-competitive affair.
Each males had been younger within the UFC at the moment, however have come a good distance since and can run it again on the high of the sport. Dariush (22-6-1 MMA, 16-6-1 UFC) is one in every of Tsarukyan’s most up-to-date opponents, having suffered a 64-second knockout loss of their important occasion at UFC on ESPN 52 in December.
Though Makhachev is the present No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter within the newest USA TODAY Sports activities/MMA Junkie rankings, Dariush doesn’t suppose Tsarukyan is that far off.
“I believed he seemed actually good (towards Charles Oliveira at UFC 300),” Dariush advised MMA Junkie and different reporters throughout an interview on the 2024 UFC Corridor of Fame pink carpet. “I believed he seemed actually good towards Charles. Charles is a really troublesome battle for most individuals, and he was in a position to pull it off. I believe he has a very good shot towards Islam.”
Regardless of pondering Tsarukyan has a stable probability at taking the belt, Dariush struggles to completely decide to choosing towards Makhachev, and mentioned the outcome will seemingly come all the way down to some key variables.
“I might favor Islam, like a 60-45 or a 55-45,” Dariush mentioned. “It’s going to be a detailed battle. I believe Makhachev is healthier at power conservation.”
Make sure to go to the MMA Junkie Instagram web page and YouTube channel to debate this and extra content material with followers of blended martial arts.