Islam Makhachev and Arman Tsarukyan receive title fight advice from Rafael dos Anjos

Former UFC lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos has given his expert advice to Islam Makhachev and Arman Tsarukyan ahead of their title fight at UFC 284.

Dos Anjos, who has fought both Makhachev and Tsarukyan, believes that Makhachev is the favorite going into the fight, but that Tsarukyan has the skills to pull off an upset.

“I think Makhachev is the favorite in this fight,” dos Anjos said. “He’s a more complete fighter than Tsarukyan, and he has more experience at the championship level. But Tsarukyan is a very dangerous fighter, and he has the skills to beat anyone on any given day.”

Dos Anjos advised Makhachev to use his wrestling to control the fight and to avoid getting into a striking match with Tsarukyan. He also advised Tsarukyan to use his striking to keep Makhachev at distance and to not allow him to get inside.

“Makhachev is a great wrestler, so I think he should use that to his advantage,” dos Anjos said. “He should try to get Tsarukyan down and control him on the ground. Tsarukyan is a good striker, so I think he should try to keep the fight standing and use his striking to keep Makhachev at distance.”

Ultimately, dos Anjos believes that the fight will be decided by who can impose their game plan on the other. He believes that Makhachev has the better chance of doing that, but that Tsarukyan is a live underdog.

“I think the fight will be decided by who can impose their game plan on the other,” dos Anjos said. “I think Makhachev has the better chance of doing that, but Tsarukyan is a live underdog. I wouldn’t be surprised if he pulled off the upset.”