Tsarukyan Chokes Out Alligator; Says Makhachev Is ‘Easy Work’
Arman Tsarukyan took his grappling skills to the next level when he tackled an alligator during a fishing trip at the Everglades.
Tsarukyan is one of the names linked with a fight against UFC Lightweight Champion Islam Makhachev. They faced off in 2019 when Tsarukyan made his first UFC appearance. Islam won via a unanimous decision. Tsarukyan was cageside when Makhachev defeated Dustin Poirier in a fifth-round submission to retain his title.
It was his third successful defense. After the win, Islam called out Leon Edwards as he chases the welterweight title. While that may be the case, a rematch with Tsarukyan is likely next. Tsarukyan has won four in a row, putting him close to a title shot. Based on what he had seen from Islam, he fancied his chances.
Tsarukyan On Makhachev
“It would be very easy fight for me. I could outwrestle him [in] that fight as well because he got tired. When you’re tired, you can’t do s—t. Even if you have the best skills in the world, if you’re tired, you’re done. It wasn’t his best performance. He got tired and he was slow.
“I feel like Islam doesn’t have very good conditioning or maybe he got sick or whatever. I’m not judging him because of his last fight, I gotta watch all his fights and take him serious. He’s No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter. I’m just gonna prepare like it’s best version of Islam Makhachev. Not underestimate him. Dustin can defend his wrestling, I’m going to defend as well,” Tsarukyan stated
If he is to beat Makhachev, Tsarukyan’s grappling skills would have to be on point. He is currently training for his next potential fight, as he spoke about his love for fishing. During one trip to the Everglades, Tsarukyan recalled taking on an alligator. This was reminiscent of the footage which showed Khabib Nurmagomedov wrestling bears during his youth.
Tsarukyan vs. Alligator
Unsurprisingly, Khabib became one of the best grapplers in the sport as he retired undefeated with a 29-0 record. As the alligator approached Tsarukyan’s boat, he took it down. There is no video footage of this, unlike Khabib wrestling bears, which is well documented. But Tsarukyan did share a picture of him carrying the alligator on his back. Once the dust had settled down, he had plenty to say about the experience.
“I choked him out. I caught him, pulled him out from [the river], choked him, and put it on my back…[And] I got a license to kill the alligator. We put a fishing hook out on the river, and me and my friend had to pull him in with one [rod]…He was 50, 70 pounds. Caught him without meat or anything…other animals it’s sad, but alligators, it’s ok. They eat people. Rear-naked choke from back-mount. [I made] Boots [from it]. I’m going to wear them to my title fight. Alligator boots,” Tsarukyan stated
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