Coach sees this fighter as the toughest for Islam Makhachev

Islam Makhachev. Photo: Per Haljestam-USA TODAY Sports

UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev’s coach, Javier Mendez, has an extra close eye on one future title challenger.

Makhachev’s former opponent Arman Tsarukyan, who arguably gave him the toughest fights to date, could very well be giving the champion even bigger trouble if they ever clash inside the octagon again according to the coach. Especially if he fights like he did in this past weekend’s clash with Beneil Dariush.

“The fight was a very tough fight for Islam. You would think that the UFC being the marketing machine that they are, that they’re always looking for intriguing matchups. But I think honestly, there’s too many people ahead of him [Tsarukyan]. And I think Justin Gaethje and Charles [Oliveira] are ahead of him. So, I think that that’s something that they can hold later.”

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Islam Makhachev

Coach Mendez was very impressed by Tsarukyan’s recent finish against fellow top dog Beneil Dariush, however, there are a few in line ahead of the No. 4 ranked lightweight who will probably have at least one more fight before going for gold against Islam Makhachev.

“But I think, honestly speaking, who we’re probably gonna be looking at, I would imagine, would be Charles or Justin. And Arman would be later. But I think he’s going to have to have one more fight – and not because he has to have one more fight – because probably by the time he comes around, he’s not gonna want to settle and not do nothing. So, that’s what I think.”

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