Wrestle World - Colby Covington: Arman Tsarukyan can knock out Islam Makhachev at UFC 311

Colby Covington isn’t ruling out Arman Tsarukyan’s chances of taking out Islam Makhachev at UFC 311.

Tsarukyan (22-3 MMA, 9-2 UFC) challenges lightweight champion Makhachev (26-1 MMA, 15-1 UFC) in a rematch, which headlines the Jan. 18 event from Intuit Dome in Inglewood, Calif., and airs on ESPN+ pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and ESPN+.

If Tsarukyan is able to keep the fight on the feet, Covington thinks he has the power to finish Makhachev.

“I do think he can get it done,” Covington told Submission Radio. “I think he’s an athlete. Look how flexible he is. Look how he got out of that choke with Charles (Oliveira). That was impressive. He dug deep for that, and you know he’s got a better coach. He’s got a great coach. I believe in Arman. He’s an athlete. He’s got big power in his hands. If he believes in his hands, I think he can knock out Makhachev.”

Tsarukyan trains at Covington’s former gym, American Top Team, who are preparing for their second straight lightweight title fight. Dustin Poirier was submitted by Makhachev in Round 5 at UFC 302, which surprisingly had Tsarukyan critical of his performance. Tsarukyan accused Poirier of giving up, and Covington took the opportunity to attack “The Diamond” in a rant.

“Look at now Arman’s starting to talk sh*t about him,” Covington said of Poirier. “What’s going on over there with Arman and Dustin? I don’t think Dustin’s this nice guy that he portrays. Everybody tries to act like he’s such a nice guy.

“Why is this super sweet guy, who I used to train with, Arman, good kid, good little kid, but look at him and what he’s starting to say, how he’s trashing Dustin’s name. He knows how Dustin’s an egomaniac. The guy just loves to have his ego stroked, and he thinks he’s the biggest star in every room he walks in, even though he’s a little b*tch and quitter.”