UFC 311 video: Islam Makhachev, Arman Tsarukyan keep press conference faceoff respectful

January 16, 2025 9:44 pm ET

LOS ANGELES – Islam Makhachev and Arman Tsarukyan got the chance to size each other up for the first time on UFC 311 fight week at Thursday’s pre-fight press conference.

After answering questions from the media, Makhachev (26-1 MMA, 15-1 UFC) and Tsarukyan (22-3 MMA, 9-2 UFC) came together for a staredown in advance of their lightweight championship rematch, which headlines Saturday’s card at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, Calif. (ESPN+ pay-per-view, ESPNews/Disney+, ESPN+)

Islam Makhachev and Arman Tsarukyan were locked in for the #UFC311 press conference faceoff. pic.twitter.com/SQtNAchywB

— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) January 17, 2025

It was a tame faceoff, but both men looked strong and confident as the days wind down to their second encounter. Makhachev won the first fight by unanimous decision at UFC Fight Night 149 in April 2019, and Tsarukyan is keen he’s not the same fighter who lost in what was a short-notice octagon debut.

Check out the video above to see Makhachev and Tsarukyan face off following the UFC 311 pre-fight press conference.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 311.

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