Robert Whittaker gives his UFC 311 main event | MMA News
Lightweight champion Islam Makhachev will attempt to make UFC historical past this weekend when he faces Arman Tsarukyan in a rematch within the UFC 311 main event. Makhachev might set the report for essentially the most profitable light-weight title defenses within the promotion’s historical past with a win.
Makhachev and Tsarukyan first fought at UFC Fight Night 149 in April 2019. Makhachev defeated Tsarukyan through unanimous determination and the bout earned ‘Fight of the Night’ honors. It was Tsarukyan’s promotional debut.
Former middleweight titleholder Robert Whittaker would not count on the rematch to play out like their first encounter.
“Definitely (the rematch will be different),” Whittaker informed Fox Sports Australia. “If we look at the growth of Islam the two [Alexander] Volkanovski fights to the Dustin Poirier fight, Islam’s striking has significantly improved. You can see a noticeable difference from the second Volk fight to that fight with Dustin Poirier.
“Obviously, Arman has leveled up. He has gotten higher as properly,” Whittaker continued. “I simply really feel like, I do not know, I really feel like there was a noticeable distinction in that Poirier combat. He (Makhachev) seemed so comfy with his arms. He seemed comfy hanging the way in which that he does. Very primary hanging however efficient, particularly for a southpaw.”
While acknowledging both fighters have improved since they first fought six years ago, Whittaker believes Makhachev’s improvements ‘inched ahead’ of Tsarukyan’s.
“You have a look at the extent of competitors. Islam has been in some large fights just lately. Massive fights they usually’re all 5 rounds,” Whittaker said. “I have a look at the combat and I feel we will see a very comparable match to the primary time they crossed paths, truthfully. Both guys have gotten higher. I simply suppose if we have a look at the fights with Volk and how they’ve made Islam grow the way in which that has to the combat with Poirier, Islam has simply inched forward in degree of completion he is been preventing in addition to his growth within the hanging recreation.”
“I feel it should be a very exhausting combat,” Whittaker continued. “I do see the combat enjoying out a lot like their first combat, however I simply suppose Islam has sharpened his skillsets a lot more.”
“I simply really feel like watching Islam’s growth within the division, the extent of fights that he is had and the comfortably that comes with defending your title time again in opposition to Volk, taking the belt from [Charles] Oliveira, in opposition to Poirier they usually manner that he did it, I feel Makhachev is a sturdy favourite.”
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