UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev’s coach wants the Arman Tsarukyan fight rescheduled.
Tsarukyan pulled out of his title fight against Makhachev (27-1 MMA, 16-1 UFC) just one day before UFC 311 due to a back injury. Makhachev faced Renato Moicano instead, submitting him in Round 1 this past Saturday at Intuit Dome.
UFC CEO Dana White was not pleased with Tsarukyan (22-3 MMA, 9-2 UFC) withdrawing on Friday and said he now needs to work his way back up to a title fight.
Javier Mendez hopes that’s not the case.
“I feel bad for him because no fighter should have to go through what that poor guy did,” Mendez told Submission Radio. “He trained so hard for this, earned the right to fight for the title, deserving the right to fight for the title, and only be out because of an injury, not because of anything else.
“I feel bad for him because it just reminded me of what happened to Khabib (Nurmagomedov). Same thing as him, so I wish him a speedy recovery, and I hope he doesn’t have to take another fight before he gets a title shot. I hope the UFC gives him that opportunity.”
If Tsarukyan isn’t next, Mendez wants a fresh challenge for Makhachev.
“Justin Gaethje because he hasn’t fought him,” Mendez said.
Gaethje will first have to get through Dan Hooker on March 8 in the UFC 313 co-main event at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Also waiting in the wings is Charles Oliveira, whom Makhachev submitted in their vacant lightweight title fight at UFC 280.
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