Light-weight champion Islam Makhachev will attempt to make UFC historical past this weekend when he faces Arman Tsarukyan in a rematch within the UFC 311 principal occasion. Makhachev might set the report for probably the most profitable light-weight title defenses within the promotion’s historical past with a win.
Makhachev and Tsarukyan first fought at UFC Battle Night time 149 in April 2019. Makhachev defeated Tsarukyan by way of unanimous determination and the bout earned ‘Battle of the Night time’ honors. It was Tsarukyan’s promotional debut.
Former middleweight titleholder Robert Whittaker does not count on the rematch to play out like their first encounter.
“Undoubtedly (the rematch will likely be completely different),” Whittaker advised Fox Sports activities Australia. “If we take a look at the expansion of Islam the 2 [Alexander] Volkanovski fights to the Dustin Poirier struggle, Islam’s hanging has considerably improved. You may see a noticeable distinction from the second Volk struggle to that struggle with Dustin Poirier.
“Clearly, Arman has leveled up. He has gotten higher as nicely,” Whittaker continued. “I simply really feel like, I do not know, I really feel like there was a noticeable distinction in that Poirier struggle. He (Makhachev) appeared so comfy along with his palms. He appeared comfy hanging the way in which that he does. Very primary hanging however efficient, particularly for a southpaw.”
Whereas acknowledging each fighters have improved since they first fought six years in the past, Whittaker believes Makhachev’s enhancements ‘inched forward’ of Tsarukyan’s.
“You take a look at the extent of competitors. Islam has been in some huge fights lately. Large fights they usually’re all 5 rounds,” Whittaker mentioned. “I take a look at the struggle and I feel we’ll see a really comparable match to the primary time they crossed paths, actually. Each guys have gotten higher. I simply suppose if we take a look at the fights with Volk and the way they’ve made Islam develop the way in which that has to the struggle with Poirier, Islam has simply inched forward in stage of completion he is been combating in addition to his development within the hanging recreation.”
“I feel it’ll be a really exhausting struggle,” Whittaker continued. “I do see the struggle enjoying out lots like their first struggle, however I simply suppose Islam has sharpened his skillsets way more.”
“I simply really feel like watching Islam’s development within the division, the extent of fights that he is had and the comfortably that comes with defending your title time once more towards Volk, taking the belt from [Charles] Oliveira, towards Poirier they usually means that he did it, I feel Makhachev is a robust favourite.”
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