UFC 300 is shaping up to be one of the most historic nights in the promotion’s history, and lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan is determined to make the most of it. With a stacked card featuring past and present champions, Tsarukyan sees his time in the limelight as the perfect opportunity to earn a shot at the belt.
Climbing the Ranks for a Rematch
Tsarukyan's journey began with a UFC debut against current champion Islam Makhachev. Since then, he's been steadily climbing the lightweight ladder, with his sights set on a rematch. At UFC 300, he gets his chance to prove his title worth by facing another former champion – Charles Oliveira.
Tsarukyan's Big Opportunity
"Finally, I got what I wanted," Tsarukyan said earlier this week in an interview with UFC.com. "UFC 300 is the biggest fight and I want to fight on that day. It's so exciting." He sees this fight as a clear path to title contention, highlighting, "There are a lot of big fights, but the No. 1 contender fight is me versus Charles. That's it."
A Calculated Move by Oliveira?
After a dominant run that secured him the championship, Oliveira lost to Makhachev in a surprising turn of events. He bounced back with a win but was forced to withdraw from a rematch due to injury. Tsarukyan believes Oliveira had limited options, stating, "He had to accept this fight because he pulled out from his title fight."
A Chance to Make a Name
Tsarukyan acknowledges Oliveira's popularity but remains confident. He sees victory as a potential turning point: "When I beat him, people are going to talk about me. 'Who is this kid?' Everybody is going to know me."
Facing the Fans and the Competition
During a Q&A session, some fans heckled Tsarukyan regarding the matchup. He handled the situation calmly, focusing on the fight ahead. However, the pressure is real. Not only will he be aiming to impress, but he’ll also look to outshine the other lightweight clashes at UFC 300, notably the BMF bout between Justin Gaethje and Max Holloway.
The Ultimate Goal: A Rematch with Makhachev
While Oliveira is the immediate hurdle, Tsarukyan's ultimate goal remains a rematch with Makhachev. He envisions a spectacular win, stating, "The best-case scenario is choke him out. Because people are going to talk about me. He choked out the best jiu jitsu guy on the planet."
Tsarukyan is ready to make a statement at UFC 300. A dominant victory over Oliveira could pave the way for the lightweight title shot he's been working towards.
