Shara Magomedov is not having it when it comes to Arman Tsarukyan.
The two UFC competitors are set to compete in a grappling match on Tuesday at a Hype FC event in Armenia. Prior to the event, Tsarukyan said on an Instagram live video that Magomedov didn’t board the plane ahead of their bout and he wasn’t sure if “Bullet” would show to face him — with some believing, perhaps, that Tsarukyan was accusing Magomedov of being afraid to face him
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Magomedov would show up in Armenia, and made it to the press conference where he addressed Tsarukyan’s comments.
“I am already here,” Magomedov said. “I came to arena as soon as I landed. I saw you were saying loud words about me. That doesn’t suit you. You’re getting personal.” You’re talking about bravery and sport, I lived [a] different life. My understanding of fear is not the same as yours”
Tsarukyan is set for his fifth grappling match of the year, including a submission win earlier this month at ACBJJ 20. The No. 1 contender in the UFC’s lightweight division destroyed Dan Hooker in the main event of UFC Qatar in November, but the UFC did not give him a title shot, or an interim title fight, as he’ll watch Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett battle for interim gold in the main event of UFC 324.
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Magomedov suffered his first MMA loss earlier this year, dropping a lopsided decision to Michael Page at UFC Saudi Arabia in February. He bounced back with a Fight of the Night winning decision over Marc-Andre Barriault at UFC Abu Dhabi in July.
The 31-year-old Magomedov explained to his UFC colleague why he looks at fear differently than Tsarukyan does.
“I stole aluminum in my neighborhood so I could afford gloves for trainings,” Magomedov explained. “You lived different life, brother. So don’t talk about me being afraid. Guys like you are calling police around me.”
