Team Khabib Laughs At Tsarukyan’s ‘Desperate’ Move Against Makhachev!

Can the ghost of Makhachev’s past haunt his UFC 311 rematch against Tsarukyan? Or is the lightweight champion too evolved to fall for old tricks?

A Controversial Strategy or Just Desperation?

Can you prepare for Islam Makhachev by studying the lone blemish on his otherwise spotless record? For Arman Tsarukyan, the answer seems to be yes. Teaming up with Adriano Martins, the only fighter to hand Makhachev a defeat, has sparked debate. But according to Javier Mendez, the head coach of Team Khabib, this tactic is pointless.

Mendez minced no words during his appearance on Submission Radio, dismissing the 2015 KO as irrelevant. “It’s worthless,” he emphasized, explaining that Martins’ lucky left hook in the opening moments of that fight doesn’t hold strategic value. Mendez added, “That wasn’t a fight; it didn’t last long at all, so it’s hard to gauge anything.”

Could Tsarukyan’s decision to work with Martins be part of a smarter plan, or is he simply grasping at straws?

Revisiting Makhachev’s Shocking Loss in 2015

To understand the significance of Tsarukyan’s move, let’s rewind to UFC 192 in 2015. A rising prospect at the time, Makhachev faced Adriano Martins and suffered the first and only loss of his career. A crisp left hook ended the fight in under two minutes—a moment that has lived on in highlight reels ever since.

However, Javier Mendez sees no value in revisiting that moment. “Unless it’s for a mental edge, there’s nothing there,” he argued. Tsarukyan may have enlisted Martins to find a chink in Makhachev’s armor, but Team Khabib remains unfazed.

A Rivalry Rekindled

This isn’t the first time Makhachev and Tsarukyan have faced off. Their first meeting came in April 2019 at UFC Fight Night 149, a bout that earned Fight of the Night honors. It was a grappling masterclass, with Tsarukyan pushing Makhachev harder than anyone else has in the octagon.

Though Tsarukyan lost via unanimous decision, many fans hail it as the toughest test of Makhachev’s career. Now, as the #1 lightweight contender, Tsarukyan is poised for a rematch that could cement his status as one of the division’s elite. Aligning with the only man to defeat the champion adds a psychological layer to this already thrilling matchup.

Makhachev: A Different Fighter Today

Let’s not forget, Islam Makhachev has evolved since that fateful 2015 fight. Now holding a 26-1 record, he’s a dominant force in the lightweight division. With his relentless pressure, elite wrestling, and suffocating grappling, Makhachev has left little room for his opponents to breathe.

But Arman Tsarukyan, boasting a 22-3 record, isn’t a pushover. His adaptability, cardio, and top-tier wrestling make him a legitimate threat. Whether teaming up with Martins gives him an edge or not, Tsarukyan has the tools to challenge the reigning champion.

The Ghosts of the Past

Every fighter has that one loss fans can’t forget. For Makhachev, it’s his KO defeat to Martins. By bringing Martins into his camp, Tsarukyan seems to be dragging this ghost from Makhachev’s past into his present. But is this move strategic, or simply a headline-grabbing distraction?

It’s worth considering that while Martins landed the punch that stopped Makhachev, the Dagestani has since grown into a complete fighter. If Tsarukyan hopes to crack the champion’s code, it will take more than revisiting an ancient defeat.

Final Thoughts: A Genius Move or Smoke and Mirrors?

So, does Tsarukyan’s partnership with Martins actually give him an advantage, or is this just a desperate ploy to rattle Makhachev? The rematch promises to be a battle for the ages, but whether Martins’ insight proves valuable remains to be seen.

Will Tsarukyan’s bold strategy pay off, or will Makhachev once again assert his dominance? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!