In the world of mixed martial arts, there are few fighters who can truly capture the attention of fans and critics alike. One such fighter is Islam Makhachev, a talented Russian prospect who has been making waves in the UFC since his debut in 2015. While he may not be a household name just yet, Makhachev’s skills and potential have caught the eye of many, including his sparring partner and the only man to defeat him, Arman Tsarukyan.
Let’s take a step back to 2015, when Makhachev faced off against Adriano Martins at UFC 192. It was not his UFC debut, as many believe, but it was his only defeat in the octagon. Martins caught Makhachev with a clean left hook that ended the fight in the first round. It was a tough loss for Makhachev, but little did anyone know that this defeat would only fuel his determination to become one of the best in the sport.
Fast forward to 2021, and Makhachev is now on a seven-fight win streak in the UFC, with his most recent victory coming against Drew Dober at UFC 259. Many have praised his dominant performance and have even compared him to his close friend and teammate, Khabib Nurmagomedov. But behind every successful fighter, there is a team of dedicated individuals who work tirelessly to help them reach their goals. And for Makhachev, one of those individuals is his sparring partner, Arman Tsarukyan.
Tsarukyan, who is also a talented fighter in his own right, has been Makhachev’s main training partner for years. The two have a close relationship, both inside and outside of the gym. In a recent interview with EssentiallySports, Tsarukyan opened up about his experience training with Makhachev and gave us an inside look into their preparations for Makhachev’s upcoming fight at UFC 311.
When asked about Makhachev’s growth as a fighter, Tsarukyan had nothing but praise for his friend. He said, “I have been training with Islam for a long time, and I have seen him grow and improve with each fight. He is a very disciplined and hardworking athlete, and it’s no surprise that he has been dominating his opponents in the UFC.”
Tsarukyan also shared some details about their training camp for UFC 311, where Makhachev will face off against Thiago Moises. He revealed that they have been focusing on Makhachev’s striking and grappling skills, as well as his overall conditioning. He said, “We have been working on improving his striking, especially his footwork and movement. We have also been drilling a lot of grappling techniques, as we know that Makhachev’s grappling is his biggest strength. And of course, we are making sure that he is in top shape for the fight.”
But what sets Makhachev apart from other fighters is not just his physical abilities, but also his mindset. Tsarukyan shared that Makhachev’s mental strength is what makes him a formidable opponent in the octagon. He said, “Islam is a very calm and focused fighter. He never lets his emotions get the best of him, and he always stays composed, even in the toughest of situations. This mental strength is what gives him an edge over his opponents.”
As for their relationship outside of the gym, Tsarukyan described Makhachev as a humble and down-to-earth person. He said, “Islam is a great friend and training partner. We have a very close bond, and we always support each other in our fights. He is a very humble and kind person, and I am grateful to have him in my life.”
In conclusion, Makhachev’s sparring partner and close friend, Arman Tsarukyan, has given us an inside look into the training camp of the rising UFC star. With their hard work and dedication, there is no doubt that Makhachev will continue to climb the ranks and become a force to be reckoned with in the lightweight division. And for Tsarukyan, he will continue to support and train alongside his friend, as they both strive to achieve greatness in the world of MMA.
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