Arman Tsarukyan recently revealed that Alexander Volkanovski asked him for help.
Volkanovski is due to try and become the 4th ever champ champ when he takes on Islam Makhachev at UFC 284 on February 12, 2023.
Tsarukyan told Russian broadcaster Match TV:
“He tried to connect me to his training camp,”
“I refused, because there was no point, I understood that at the moment I’m not actively training. I didn’t even ask about the terms.”
Tsarukyan and Makhachev had crazy wrestling exchanges https://t.co/TlahEWV5xI
— calfkicker (@calfkickercom) January 1, 2023
“I don’t think it makes sense for me to be in his camp even if there are financial benefits. If I had preparation, if I understood that I would go to Australia as a stand-in [for the fight], then most likely I would go. ”
“But I had a vacation planned for this year, I haven’t been at home for 8 or 9 months.”
Tsarukyan made his UFC debut in 2019 against Islam Makhachev. Though he lost the bout, the Russian was one of Makhachev’s hardest matchups. It makes sense that Volkanovski’s camp would reach out to him.
Tsarukyan was a part of the card at UFC Orlando. He bested Damir Ismagulov and broke his 20- win streak. At present, Tsarukyan is not actively training. So, it does not make sense for him to join Alexander Volkanovski’s camp.
Alexander Volkanovski is the current UFC featherweight champion. He has successfully defended his featherweight title 4 times over the past three years.
The showdown between Islam Makhachev and Alexander Volkanovski will determine the No.1 position on the UFC pound-for-pound rankings.
In addition, both are on long win streaks. Volkanovski has been unbeaten in all his 12 UFC outings. While Islam Makhachev has won 12 out of his 13 UFC outsings and is on a 11 win streak.
Arman Tsarukyan picked current UFC lightweight champion Makhachev as the favorite to win at UFC 284. However, the current pound-for-pound leader – Alexander Volkanovski can’t be counted out.