Arman Tsarukyan has received some words of support from Islam Makhachev's coach following his enforced withdrawal from their planned title fight at UFC 311.
Tsarukyan pulled out of the bout on the eve of the event, citing severe back pain during his weight-cutting process. The pain was deemed to be severe enough to force Tsarukyan out of the fight, and the rematch with Makhachev that he'd spent the last six years working his way towards.
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Tsarukyan's place went to Brazilian contender Renato Moicano, who Makhachev submitted in the first round of the swiftly-made main event in Inglewood, California.
After the event, UFC president Dana White stated that Tsarukyan would have to take time to reassess as he hinted that the Armenian contender would need to re-establish his title challenger credentials before getting another opportunity to fight for the belt.
"He's going back to the drawing board," White told reporters at the UFC 311 post-fight press conference.
"I don't want anybody to fight hurt, ever. We've been in these positions before.
"We're down there with the doctor, with Heather (Linden) from the PI (UFC Performance Institute). You can ask any fighter - she's the best in the world. You miss opportunities sometimes, and he did. We'll see how this plays out for him next year."
However, Tsarukyan received some words of sympathy from Makhachev's longtime coach Javier Mendez, who recognized that he had earned his shot at the title, only to lose out through non-sporting reasons.
"I feel bad for him because, you know, no fighter should have to go through what that poor guy did," he told Submission Radio.
"Training so hard for this, earning the right to fight for the title, deserving the right to fight for the title, and only to be out because of an injury, not because of anything else."
It's a situation Mendez knows well, as his former protege, now a fellow coach for Makhachev, Khabib Nurmagomedov, experienced a similar injury setback during his career.
And Mendez said that, despite suggestions that Tsarukyan may have to earn his shot all over again, he hopes that the Armenian is handed the chance to compete for the title once he's back to fighting fitness and returns to action.
"I feel bad for him because it just reminded me of me when that happened to Khabib. Same thing as him," he said.
"So I just say I wish him a speedy recovery and I hope he doesn't have to take another fight before he gets a title shot.
"I hope that the UFC gives him that opportunity."
More MMA:
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UFC 311 Recap: Islam Makhachev and Merab Dvalishvili Retain Titles in Los Angeles
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