Tag: Islam Makhachev

UFC champ Ilia Topuria wants lightweight title shot vs. Islam Makhachev

UFC star Ilia Topuria wants a shot at Islam Makhachev in a champion vs. champion fight.

It looks like UFC featherweight champion [autotag]Ilia Topuria[/autotag] has lost interest in a potential rematch with [autotag]Alexander Volkanovski[/autotag], and is now hoping for a champion vs. champion bout.

Topuria (16-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC), who was keen on fighting Volkanovski a second time following his successful title defense against Max Holloway in October, is now saying he’d like a bigger challenge for his return to the octagon.

“I’m on the verge of making some decisions, and I’m not sure what’s going to happen,” Topuria said in Spanish on El Chiriguito. “I’m closer to making a fight with (Islam) Makhachev, that’s what interest me the most.

“My ideal rival needs to have something that has me fighting for something. I need to conquer something. I need something to motivate me. Do a rematch (with Volkanovski) for what? I already beat him. ‘Oh, is that I want another chance for,’ Ok, you’re better than me. That’s it.”

Topuria would ideally like to move up to 155 pounds and take on Makhachev. However, Makhachev must first defend his title in his scheduled rematch against Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 311 on Jan. 18 in Los Angeles.

“Getting a second title and fighting for something that builds your legacy. That’s something I’ve set for myself,” Topuria said.

As far as a timeline, “El Matador” is hoping to get back in the cage sometime in spring.

“April or May, April or May,” Topuria said when asked about his ideal return. “It also interests me to be active at the same time, but the weight cut is very annoying, to be honest.”

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Islam Makhachev vs. Arman Tsarukyan: Odds and what to know ahead of UFC 311 main event

Given Islam Makhachev’s current status and their past counter, it’s no surprise to see him favored to beat Arman Tsarukyan in the rematch.

Lightweight champion [autotag]Islam Makhachev[/autotag] will go for his fourth consecutive title defense against a familiar foe when he rematches [autotag]Arman Tsarukyan[/autotag] in the UFC 311 main event.

Islam Makhachev vs. Arman Tsarukyan preview

Makhachev (26-1 MMA, 15-1 UFC) and Tsarukyan (22-3 MMA, 9-2 UFC) first squared off in April 2019, with Makhachev winning a unanimous decision to spoil Tsarukyan’s short-notice UFC debut.

All Makhachev has done since (and before) then is win as he’s riding a remarkable 14-fight winning streak. That includes his 2022 submission win over Charles Oliveira to claim the 155-pound championship, as well as three title defenses against Alexander Volkonovski twice and most recently a hard-fought fifth-round submission of Dustin Poirier at UFC 302.

Since losing to Makhachev, Tsarukyan has won nine of 10 fights, which includes a current four-fight winning streak against Damir Ismagulov, Joaquim Silva, Beneil Dariush, and most recently Oliveira last April at UFC 300.

Islam Makhachev vs. Arman Tsarukyan odds

Given Makhachev’s current status and their past counter, it’s no surprise to see him favored to beat Tsarukyan in the rematch. According to DraftKings, Makhachev is a moderate favorite at -265, with Tsarukyan listed as a +215 underdog.

How to watch Islam Makhachev vs. Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 311

  • When: Saturday, January 18, 2025
  • Where: Intuit Dome, Inglewood, Calif.
  • Broadcast/streaming: ESPN+ pay-per-view

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 311.

Islam Makhachev vs. Arman Tsarukyan title rematch headlines UFC 311 in Los Angeles

Islam Makhachev and Arman Tsarukyan will rematch for the lightweight championship in the UFC 311 main event on Jan. 18.

[autotag]Islam Makhachev[/autotag] and [autotag]Arman Tsarukyan[/autotag] will rematch with the biggest stakes possible when they clash for the lightweight title in the UFC 311 main event.

After Makhachev spoiled Tsarukyan’s short-notice promotional debut in April 2023 with a unanimous decision win in the Fight of the Night, the pair will run it back on Jan. 18 at the recently-opened Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California (ESPN+ pay-per-view, ESPN, ESPN+).

UFC officials announced the Makhachev (26-1 MMA, 15-1 UFC) vs. Tsarukyan (22-3 MMA, 9-2 UFC) headliner in a social media post on Wednesday (via X):

Makhachev, No. 2 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie pound-for-pound rankings and No. 1 at lightweight, is riding a UFC-best 13-fight winning streak, and will be looking for a third consecutive defense of his 155-pound title.

The pupil of UFC Hall of Famer Khabib Nurmagomedov, the 33-year-old Makhachev has already defended gold against Dustin Poirier and Alexander Volkanovski by stoppage, and his current streak also includes the likes of Charles Oliveira, Dan Hooker, as well as the triumph over Tsarukyan at UFC Fight Night 149.

Tsarukyan, No. 2 at lightweight, has earned his way to his first UFC title shot and the rematch with Makhachev through a series of notable victories. The 28-year-old knocked out Beneil Dariush in 64-seconds in December, then followed it up with a split decision victory over former divisional kingpin Oliveira at UFC 300 in April.

Speaking to MMA Junkie during UFC 308 fight week in October, Tsarukyan said he intends to leave no doubt with the outcome against Makhachev and will be seeking a finish.

“You can’t say it’s going to be an easy fight,” Tsarukyan said. “I try to think it’s going to be easy for me, and I don’t want to think it’s going to be a decision. I want to finish him.”

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The latest UFC 311 lineup now includes:

  • Islam Makhachev vs. Arman Tsarukyan – for lightweight title
  • Merab Dvalishvili vs. Umar Nurmagomedov – for bantamweight title
  • Jamahal Hill vs. Jiri Prochazka
  • Kevin Holland vs. Reinier de Ridder
  • Jailton Almeida vs. Serghei Spivac
  • Grant Dawson vs. Diego Ferreira
  • Muin Gafurov vs. Rinya Nakamura
  • Bogdan Guskov vs. Johnny Walker
  • Ailin Perez vs. Karol Rosa
  • Sedriques Dumas vs. Zach Reese
  • Raoni Barcelos vs. Payton Talbott
  • Bernardo Sopaj vs. Ricky Turcios

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 311.

Islam Makhachev doesn’t feel great about potential Ilia Topuria fight

Islam Makhachev doesn’t see much to gain from fighting fellow UFC champion Ilia Topuria.

[autotag]Islam Makhachev[/autotag] doesn’t see much to gain from fighting fellow UFC champion [autotag]Ilia Topuria[/autotag].

Featherweight champ Topuria (16-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) and his head coach expressed interest in moving up a weight class to challenge lightweight champ Makhachev (26-1 MMA, 15-1 UFC) after Topuria knocked out Max Holloway at UFC 298. In a recent interview with Match TV (h/t Championship Rounds), Makhachev didn’t rule out the possibility of fighting Topuria some day but explained why it doesn’t interest him.

“We will definitely have some kind of conversation,” Makhachev said. “He constantly talks about me. He probably wants to tell me something. I don’t understand what he wants to tell me. Let’s step outside and talk. He wants to fight? We’ll fight if we need to.

“In terms of my fighting career, I’m not interested in fighting Topuria at all. He’s in a different weight class. I’ll beat him, and what will that do for me? I won’t win another belt. Everyone will once again say that I beat a featherweight. That’s it. But if people really want to see him lose, then we can do it.”

Makhachev’s first two title defenses at lightweight came against former featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski. He then tied the record for most title defenses in lightweight history by submitting Dustin Poirier at UFC 302 in June.

He is expected to make his next title defense in a rematch against Arman Tsarukyan (22-3 MMA, 9-2 UFC) Jan. 18 at UFC 311 from Intuit Dome in Inglewood, Calif., though nothing is confirmed.

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Dan Hooker on the ‘myth’ of fighting Islam Makhachev, Khabib Nurmagomedov

Dan Hooker believes Islam Makhachev and Khabib Nurmagomedov’s opponents are often intimidated before the fight starts.

[autotag]Dan Hooker[/autotag] believes [autotag]Islam Makhachev[/autotag] and [autotag]Khabib Nurmagomedov[/autotag]’s opponents are often intimidated before the fight starts.

Hooker (24-12 MMA, 14-8 UFC) experienced it first hand when he faced current lightweight champion Makhachev (26-1 MMA, 15-1 UFC) at UFC 267 in October 2021. He was submitted in the first round.

When discussing Charles Oliveira, who was dropped and submitted by Makhachev in their title fight at UFC 280, Hooker explained the mental battle of going up against dominant fighters like Makhachev and Nurmagomedov.

“The myth of it is bigger than the actual task, and they kind of ride off the back of the myth of Khabib, and that’s bled into Makhachev, and you can see it,” Hooker told Submission Radio. “It definitely affected me. It’s bigger than the actual guy. If you just boil it down to the actual guy, it makes it quite a bit simpler.”

Makhachev is expected to make his next title defense in a rematch against Arman Tsarukyan, which is being discussed as the UFC 311 headliner Jan. 18 in Inglewood, Calif. In their first fight, which was Tsarukyan’s UFC debut, Makhachev outgrappled him in a back-and-forth battle.

Hooker predicts their rematch to have a more definitive ending.

“Islam (is) very defensively sound on the feet,” Hooker said. “And I feel like once he has more time to study and break down Arman’s counter-wrestling, I think it will be a more dominant win for Islam in the second fight.”

Since losing to Makhachev, Hooker has won three of his past four, most recently edging out Mateusz Gamrot at UFC 305 in August.

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Charles Oliveira gunning for gold after UFC 309, whether Islam Makhachev or Arman Tsarukyan

Could Charles Oliveira win a rematch against Islam Makhachev and/or Arman Tsarukyan?

NEW YORK – [autotag]Charles Oliveira[/autotag] asked for a cage-side seat for whenever [autotag]Islam Makhachev[/autotag] and [autotag]Arman Tsarukyan[/autotag] throw down.

Promotion CEO Dana White obliged that request in short order, impressed by the performance Oliveira (35-10 MMA, 23-10 UFC) put forth in his win over Michael Chandler on Saturday at UFC 309.

Oliveira has fought both Makhachev (26-1 MMA, 15-1 UFC) and Tsarukyan (22-3 MMA, 9-2 UFC) in the past, but he doesn’t care who walks away victorious. The only thing that matters to him is a championship belt.

“For sure. I want to be a champion,” Oliveira told MMA Junkie and other reporters through a Portuguese-language interpreter at a post-fight news conference. “Everybody knows this. I’m just going to take a couple days off. Since the boss told you guys he’ll come pick me up, I’ll be right there. … I’m not looking for any of them. I’m looking for that belt. Whoever’s got that belt, that’s who I want.”

Oliveira has won two of his most recent three. The defeat was a close split decision loss to Tsarukyan in April. Hungry to once again claim the throne, Oliveira thinks he took one step closer to that with his win over Chandler, a victory he’s very pleased of in the immediate aftermath.

“This is MMA,” Oliveira said. “I think all you want to do is win. It only shows how much I evolved and how much I got better. Old Charles, or Charles from before, would have tightened up a couple grips there and wasted energy or would’ve exploded a little bit to get out of certain positions. All I want to do was win.”

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Making Saturday’s win all the more incredible, Oliveira revealed his camp was bumpy. He suffered a knee injury that knocked him out of his preparation for a period of time, but he still carried out his mission in the end.

“I didn’t want to talk about it before, but yes I did have a knee injury,” Oliveira said. “I spent a lot of time actually without training. Things were tough. I wanted to thank first and foremost my team for not letting me back down, not letting me quit, not letting me stop and making this happen.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 309.

 

Charles Oliveira says Islam Makhachev ‘a little step ahead’ of Arman Tsarukyan

Charles Oliveira gave some insight on Islam Makhachev’s projected title defense vs. Arman Tsarukyan.

[autotag]Charles Oliveira[/autotag] gave some insight on [autotag]Islam Makhachev[/autotag]’s projected title defense vs. [autotag]Arman Tsarukyan[/autotag].

Lightweight champion Makhachev (26-1 MMA, 15-1 UFC) is expected to make his next title defense against Tsarukyan (22-3 MMA, 9-2 UFC) on Jan. 18 at UFC 311, although nothing is confirmed.

Oliveira (34-10 MMA, 22-10 UFC) suffered losses to both Makhachev and Tsarukyan. His setback to Tsarukyan was a razor thin one at UFC 300, but his submission loss to Makhachev in their title fight at UFC 280 was a much more definitive one.

“I’ve told everyone: I think I wasn’t there (against Makhachev). I didn’t fight Islam,” Oliveira told New York Post Sports through an interpreter.

If Tsarukyan is indeed next for Makhachev, Oliveira sees similarities in their game. However, he’s leaning towards Makhachev to get the job done once again.

“They have very similar games, and I think each has to come and look out for the same things,” Oliveira said. “You have to watch out for the striking because they do offer some striking and they also have to be very mindful of the ground game.

“It’s very, very similar styles, and I think that they have to watch out for the same things from each other. I think Islam is a little step ahead of Arman. I think he’s just stronger by a little bit, but when push comes to shove, any of them could win.”

Oliveira runs things back with Michael Chandler (23-8 MMA, 2-3 UFC) Nov. 16 in the UFC 309 co-main event at Madison Square Garden in New York. Oliveira won their first bout by knockout to claim the vacant lightweight title at UFC 262.

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Why Jon Anik considers Islam Makhachev No. 1 pound-for-pound over Jon Jones ‘every day of the week’

The debate over who is the UFC’s pound-for-pound No. 1 fighter isn’t much of a debate to Jon Anik.

Jon Anik doesn’t agree with Dana White, believing that [autotag]Islam Makhachev[/autotag] should be No. 1 pound-for-pound over [autotag]Jon Jones[/autotag].

Lightweight champion Makhachev (25-1 MMA, 14-1 UFC) is ranked No. 1 pound-for-pound in the UFC rankings, which has caused White to melt down on more than one occasion. White argues that Jones is undeniably No. 1, even though he currently sits at No. 3 behind light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira and Makhachev.

Anik agrees with the UFC rankings as he thinks Jones (27-1 MMA, 21-1 UFC) having not competed since claiming the vacant heavyweight title in March 2023 plays a big part.

“Islam Makhachev’s ability to find that takedown and find that submission in his last title defense against Dustin Poirier is about as good as it gets,” Anik told Kevin Iole. “For me, he was the guy going in, so I don’t know that he loses that perch for me. I have always put 155 pounds on a pedestal. I do believe 155 pounds is the deepest division.

“And part of the reason why Ilia Topuria is getting Fighter of the Year consideration, and rightfully so over Alex Pereira, is because of the depth of his division. But for me, it is Islam Makhachev every day of the week. Jon Jones is in the conversation, but inactivity, I think, largely takes him out of the discourse.”

If Jones retires, Anik OK with it

Jones is scheduled to defend his heavyweight title against Stipe Miocic (20-4 MMA, 14-4 UFC) in the UFC 309 main event Nov. 16 at Madison Square Garden in New York.

Both Jones and his coaches have hinted that he will retire after facing Miocic, and Anik thinks he shouldn’t get any flack if that does end up happening.

“If Jon Jones doesn’t fight Tom Aspinall after raising a 16th championship banner in Albuquerque, New Mexico in theory by beating Stipe Miocic, I don’t know that anybody would really judge him,” Anik said.

“Yes, the competitor that resides within Jon Jones, there could be no higher note upon which to go out than to beat either Tom Aspinall or Alex Pereira for Jon Jones, right? But the dude doesn’t need that high note. He’s the greatest of all time.”

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 309.

Michael Chandler claps back at Arman Tsarukyan: ‘Islam Makhachev absolutely smokes him’

Michael Chandler returned fire after Arman Tsarukyan’s most recent jab.

[autotag]Michael Chandler[/autotag] returned fire after [autotag]Arman Tsarukyan[/autotag]’s most recent jab.

Tsarukyan has continuously poked at Chandler’s fight IQ and recently told MMA Junkie that he’s an easy fight for Charles Oliveira. Chandler (23-8 MMA, 2-3 UFC) rematches Oliveira (34-10 MMA, 22-10 UFC) in the Nov. 16 co-main event at Madison Square Garden in New York.

Tsarukyan (22-3 MMA, 9-2 UFC) is currently linked to a title fight with lightweight champion [autotag]Islam Makhachev[/autotag] (26-1 MMA, 15-1 UFC) on Jan. 18 at UFC 311, although nothing is confirmed. Chandler was respectful toward Tsarukyan for the most part in his response but made sure to sneak in his own jab right at the end.

“He’s just a young, hungry dude making his presence be known,” Chandler told the New York Post. “He’s matured. He’s got some great wins. His last win was over Oliveira, my next opponent, so he’s earned this title shot. This is going to be a rematch with him and Islam. He’s doing his thing, but yeah, he doesn’t like me, says bad things about me. After he beat Oliveira, I actually went back and congratulated him. It’s one of those things where I don’t hold any animosity towards anybody. I’ve had my spats with Poirier.

“I’ve had my spats with these different guys in the past. I enjoy competing against people whether they like me or don’t like me. I’m going to always operate like I don’t necessarily like my opponent, but I don’t have anything against him. I don’t go into the octagon with any malice or ill-will in my heart. That’s where I perform the best. Like I said, a happy fighter is a dangerous fighter, and that’s my own personal anecdote of my career thus far, but Arman’s doing his thing. I wish him well. I think Islam absolutely smokes him, but at least he’s got great hair.”

Chandler is seeking redemption against Oliveira. The pair met for the vacant lightweight title at UFC 262 in May 2021, where Oliveira rallied to knock out Chandler in Round 2.

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 309.

Coach Jorge Climent wants Ilia Topuria to challenge Islam Makhachev for UFC lightweight title

After UFC 308, Ilia Topuria’s coach Jorge Climent wants Islam Makhachev next for his pupil

[autotag]Ilia Topuria[/autotag] and his team have had one of the greatest years in MMA history. That doesn’t mean they’re done chasing glory.

Following an impressive title defense at Saturday’s UFC 308 where Topuria (16-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) became the first person to knockout Max Holloway, his head coach [autotag]Jorge Climent[/autotag] wants him to take another leap in his fighting career.

For Climent, this means going up a weight class and challenging UFC lightweight champion [autotag]Islam Makhachev[/autotag], who’s considered by many as the pound-for-pound best.

“The fight that I think would put Ilia at the very top without any discussion that he’s the best fighter in the world would be against Islam Makhachev,” Climent told MMA Junkie in Spanish. “The fight is against Islam because at this moment he’s a defending champion. I know Ilia has only defended his belt once and that can make it difficult to get the opportunity, unless you’re a Conor (McGregor). So I do think they’re going to give it to (Alexander) Volkanovski (next).”

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Climent sees Volkanovski as the next likely option for his pupil. But given the result of their first meeting back in February, he doesn’t see the former champ as the biggest challenge for Topuria.

Climent undoubtedly sees Makhachev as thee toughest test, but still with a clear path to victory.

“It’s our toughest fight,” Climent said. “However, after seeing how much success Volkanovski had against him the first fight, of course (we) see an opportunity. This is the toughest fight, without a doubt, but I like it.”

Many notable fighters called out Topuria following his historic title defense against Holloway, an indication to Climent that Topuria is quickly becoming one of the most important names in the sport.

“Paddy ‘The P*ssy’ made some comments. Dustin Poirier called him out. That means Ilia is doing big things because that only happens when you’re truly doing big things,” Climent said. “Everyone that wants a spotlight is calling him out, Conor and others. I still think the best fight is against (Makhachev) and the biggest money fight is against Conor, which I see a bit unlikely.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 308.