Javier Mendez doesn’t think Arman Tsarukyan’s win is enough to put him in a fight for Islam Makhachev’s title.
UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev’s coach was impressed by Arman Tsarukyan’s latest victory, but he doesn’t think it was enough to earn the rising Armenian a chance to win the title. Arman Tsarukyan moved into the top 5 following a remarkable performance against Beneil Dariush. Tsarukyan brutally incapacitated Dariush just 64 seconds into their fight.
“He’s not ready yet”
During a recent episode of his podcast, coach and American Kickboxing Academy founder Javier Mendez gave his thoughts on Tsarukyan’s performance in the “Lone Star State,” as well as his calls for a second dance with the champion. Although Mendez was impressed with how the Armenian quickly disposed of Dariush, he expects Tsarukyan to need another victory while the planned clashes between Islam Makhachev and Charles Oliveira and Justin Gaethje occur.
“I saw the broadcast. It was very impressive. You would think that the UFC, as a marketing machine, is always looking for interesting matchups. But I think, honestly, there are too many people ahead of him. He’s not ready yet. »
“I think Justin Gaethje and Charles Oliveira are ahead of him, so I think it (Tsarukyan’s revenge) is something they can save for later,” Mendez continued. “Honestly, I think the person we’re probably going to look at, I imagine, would be Charles or Justin. Arman would be for later, but I think he will have to do one more fight, not because he has to, but because by the time he arrives (as number one contender), he will not will not want to be content to do nothing.
Nevertheless, even though he does not have the immediate opportunity to avenge his past defeat to Makhachev, despite the words of Dana White, Tsarukyan has vowed to have lightweight gold in his possession by the same time next year.
