From the moment Arman Tsarukyan stepped out of the Octagon after his debut at UFC Fight Night: Overeem vs. Oleinik against Islam Makhachev, he knew he would face his rival again. Though he lost their 2019 bout, the Armenian remained confident that a rematch was inevitable. Moreover, the Armenian left no doubt when he slayed former god-king Charles Oliveira at UFC 300 to register his claim for the gold. And now 5 years later, the moment is finally upon him.

On the other hand, Makhachev stands as a dominant champion, riding a 14-fight win streak since claiming the title in 2022. As Tsarukyan prepares for the long-awaited rematch at UFC 311, journalist Shakiel Mahjouri posed a pivotal question: If given the choice, would Tsarukyan prefer a trilogy fight with Makhachev or a bout against former champion Charles Oliveira?

When asked about his preference, Tsarukyan’s answer was unwavering—Makhachev all the way. He stated, “It’s Islam. Of course, this is the best fight that I can have, you know. In Russian, we say when you shoot, you kill two rabbits in one shot, you know? OK, kind of like with a rematch on the title fight. You know it’s not just a rematch.”

In Tsarukyan’s eyes, a trilogy bout with Makhachev represents the ultimate challenge—securing redemption and capturing the title simultaneously. But before thinking about future battles, all eyes are on the upcoming showdown. What did former champion Charles Oliveira predict for this pivotal matchup? Let’s see what the Brazilian had to say!

Charles Oliveira’s prediction for Tsarukyan vs. Makhachev

Charles Oliveira, having faced both Arman Tsarukyan and Islam Makhachev, possesses unique insight into their fighting styles. While he fell short against both the 155fers, he still learned a ton about the duo. The former lightweight champion praised both fighters as exceptionally talented, acknowledging their similar skill sets. However, Oliveira believes Makhachev currently holds a slight edge over Tsarukyan due to his evolving stand-up game.

Speaking to SHAK MMA, Oliveira explained, “It’s exactly what you said. They are both great fighters; they both have similar games. I think Islam has a little bit more of an advantage because he has improved his stand-up a lot, but it all boils down to who wants it more and who is well-prepared. So, it’s a 50-50.”

In classic ‘Do Bronx’ fashion, he hinted at his desire for a rematch with the winner, while also emphasizing that he would wait his turn. “I’m next after my fight,” Oliveira warned, signaling his readiness for another title shot. If Makhachev successfully defends his title against Tsarukyan, a rematch between the Dagestani and Oliveira looms on the horizon. But what about Tsarukyan’s wish for a trilogy fight? The outcome at UFC 311 will determine whether that dream becomes a reality.