“January 15, 2025 10:15 am ET If Arman Tsarukyan becomes champion, his priorities might surprise you. Tsarukyan (22-3 MMA, 9-2 UFC) challenges lightweight champion Islam Makhachev (26-1 MMA, 15-1 UFC) in Saturday’s UFC 311 (pay-per-view, ESPNews/Disney+, ESPN+) main event at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, Calif. Tsarukyan initially said he doesn’t see anyone worthy of a”, — write: mmajunkie.usatoday.com
Tsarukyan (22-3 MMA, 9-2 UFC) challenges lightweight champion Islam Makhachev (26-1 MMA, 15-1 UFC) in Saturday’s UFC 311 (pay-per-view, ESPNews/Disney+, ESPN+) main event at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, Calif.
Tsarukyan initially said he doesn’t see anyone worthy of a title shot outside of Charles Oliveira, whom he beat at UFC 300 to become No. 1 contender. However, if Tsarukyan is able to dethrone Makhachev, his focus will shift.
“When I win the title, the sports thing is done,” Tsarukyan said on the “Pound 4 Pound” podcast. “It’s going to start being just business, and I’m going to pick with who UFC pays me more. I’m going to fight. (It) doesn’t matter who it’s going to be. It’s going to be a business thing, not just a sport. Right now it’s the legacy, to be champion, and then business.
“After this fight, when I’m champion, I’m just going to think about money, not about being two-time champion or defend 10 times. I’m just going to think about money fights. I’m not thinking what happens after this fight, I’m just thinking after this fight. Maybe my father says, ‘You know what, you’re done with this sport. You won the title, come and work, make money with me.’ So, you never know.”
Contrarily, Makhachev will look to notch a UFC lightweight record four title defenses when he attempts to beat Tsarukyan a second time.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 311.
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