UFC 300 delivered an action-packed card that had fans on the edge of their seats. In the main event, Max Holloway put on a striking masterclass to claim the BMF title with a last-second knockout of Justin Gaethje. But in a recent interview, rising lightweight star Arman Tsarukyan had a humorous take on how he would handle Holloway’s famous taunting.
When asked if he would “fightfor the last 10 seconds” if Holloway pointed to the center of the octagon, Tsarukyan responded with a sly grin, “Yes, and I would lie to him and just shoot a takedown.”
Tsarukyan’s comment references Holloway’s iconic gesture in the final moments against Gaethje, where he beckoned his opponent to trade strikes in a dramatic show of heart and confidence. While Holloway’s striking proved too much for Gaethje, Tsarukyan’s wrestling prowess would likely lead him to a different gameplan against the featherweight great.
On the same UFC 300 card, Tsarukyan earned a hard-fought split decision victory over former lightweight champion Charles Oliveira in what was essentially a title eliminator bout. With his relentless grappling and ever-improving standup, Tsarukyan solidified his position as one of the top contenders in the stacked 155-pound division.
While a potential matchup between Holloway and Tsarukyan seems unlikely given their weight class differences, Tsarukyan’s quip provides an amusing hypothetical scenario. As skilled as Holloway is on the feet, Tsarukyan’s wrestling could present a stylistic nightmare for the “Blessed” one.
Ultimately, Tsarukyan’s comments show his confidence and willingness to compete against anyone, even a fighter as accomplished as Holloway. With his performance at UFC 300, Tsarukyan took another step toward a potential title shot, and fans can look forward to more high-level battles from this exciting prospect.