Makhachev (26-1 MMA, 15-1 UFC) notched his third title defense when he submitted Poirier in Round 5 at UFC 302 in June. Makhachev, who’s dominated most of his opposition throughout his career, was surprised with how competitive “The Diamond” made things.

Islam Makhachev and Arman Tsarukyan might be former foes, but they're not bitter rivals. The next UFC lightweight title fight is a rematch six years in the making, with current champion Makhachev defeating a 22-year-old Tsarukyan in his promotional debut back in 2019.

At UFC 311, Islam Makhachev can break a tie with Khabib Nurmagomedov, Benson Henderson, and BJ Penn for most UFC lightweight title fight wins.

Islam Makhachev gave Arman Tsarukyan some words of encouragement after their first UFC fight. Makhachev (26-1 MMA, 15-1 UFC) welcomed Tsarukyan (22-3 MMA, 9-2 UFC) to the UFC in April 2019, defeating the then-22-year-old by unanimous decision.

Islam Makhachev has explained his run-in with Nate Diaz in December, when the pair’s teams threw water bottles at each other at a UFC press conference. On the week of UFC 310, Makhachev took part in an early press conference for UFC 311, where he defends the lightweight title against Arman Tsarukyan on 18 January.

One of the first major events on the UFC 2025 schedule is UFC 311, which is slated for Jan. 18 at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California. UFC 311 is headlined by a massive rematch between Islam Makhachev (26-1) and Arman Tsarukyan (22-3) for the lightweight title.

Makhachev and Tsarukyan are no strangers to one another. They have even met previously inside the UFC Octagon. Just under six years ago, the pair served as the co-main event on a