The first meeting between Arman Tsarukyan and Islam Makhachev in the Octagon ended in infamy for the Armenian. Tsarukyan, on his UFC debut, lost a comprehensive decision to the Dagestani six years ago. But this time around, in their UFC 311 clash this Saturday, ‘Ahalkalakets’ is determined to turn the tables, and has a ‘secret technique’ up his sleeve.

What exactly is the secret technique in question? Well, Tsarukyan hasn’t revealed it or it won’t be secure anymore, but did drop some hints about it. “I mean like how can I say [what my secret technique is]? It’s a technique, I mean just they ask me, I answered. Of course, every fight you like preparing something [new],” Tsarukyan told ‘Shak MMA’ in an interview.

“So last fight, I was preparing the axe kick and I thought like [with an] axe kick, I could knock him [Charles Oliveira] out. I landed good but like I didn’t hurt him. So this time I’m trying to create something new, you know. Every fight you got to show some new technique because your fighters [opponents] watch your fights, and they already know like what you are going to do. And when you like to throw some new kick or do some new take down or punch, it’s like something unusual,” he added.

The challenger had indeed added an axe kick to his arsenal for his UFC 300 clash against Charles Oliveira. And even though his plan to sleep ‘Do Bronx’ with his new weapon didn’t pan out, Tsarukyan is undeterred. He wants to continue to improve and have more tools at his disposal. This is exactly the kind of mindset one needs to become a champion. Of course, all this talk of secret techniques raises one very important question.

What could be this secret technique Arman Tsarukyan has planned against Islam Makhachev?

In short, we don’t know what Tsarukyan has in mind. But since he is calling it a ‘technique’, it might be a new grappling or takedown move. On the other hand, the Armenian may be using the word ‘technique’ more colloquially and may well plan to catch Makhachev with an unexpected type of kick or punch.

After all, the #1 lightweight has said that he plans on hurting Makhachev to make the Dagestani forget his game plan. The contender could have planned, say, a flying knee on Makhachev as the latter goes for a takedown, or maybe a spinning back-fist or elbow, neither of which Tsarukyan has ever really used in his career and would be quite a surprise for the reigning champ.

Of course, this is pure speculation and all this talk about a secret technique might just be Tsarukyan bluffing. After all, what better way for Tsarukyan to throw Makhachev off and make him wary in their fight than to make Makahchev expect something completely unexpected during their fight? Well, luckily, we won’t have to wait long to find out. What do you think about Arman Tsarukyan’s ‘secret technique’ for Islam Makhachev in their UFC 311 fight?