Islam Makhachev, the reigning UFC lightweight champion, has an incredible path to greatness. His fifth-round victory over the legendary Dustin Poirier at UFC 302 on June 1 marked his fourteenth win in a row. This amazing streak leaves him just two wins off the record for most wins in UFC history. Also, Makhachev is paired with mentor Khabib Nurmagomedov for the lightest title defense of the three.
Between Makhachev and Tsarukyan: Scheduled for October
Arman Tsarukyan defeated former champion Charles Oliveira at UFC 300 in April for the No. 1 spot in the rankings. Though initially offered a title shot at UFC 302, Tsarukyan turned it down due to a short turnaround time. He wanted more time to recover and prepare for the biggest fight of his career.
According to reports from MMA Uncensored , the UFC is scheduling a Makhachev-Tsarukyan minor title fight for October, potentially at UFC 307. This schedule gives Tsarukyan more time to prepare for what will be a more important fight each in his nearly decade-long career.
Rematch in the Making
Unlike Makhachev’s previous title defense, this upcoming fight marks the first time he’ll face an opponent he’s already defeated. In 2019, a young Tsarukyan made his UFC debut against Makhachev, losing via unanimous decision. Since then, Tsarukyan has improved greatly in his skills and matured as a fighter, promising a much tougher fight for Makhachev.
Oliveira’s Prediction
Charles Oliveira, also known as ‘Doe Bronx,’ suffered defeats to Tsarukyan three months ago at UFC 300 and two years ago to Makhachev at UFC 280. Given his experience with both fighters, Oliveira the concept has great merit. He is confident that Makhachev will defeat Tsarukyan.
“Islam progresses on its feet and is dangerous on the ground in terms of interference. Arman is a guy who puts you down and holds you there the whole time. no way. It’s not a fight he can win. Of course, I just said this and I can’t go back, we’re talking about MMA and it’s completely unpredictable… but I think Islam has more experience, more perspective, more hunger, and more than Arman, . It’s hard. ” Oliveira said in a recent interview.
Encouraged by Dana White
At a recent press conference in Saudi Arabia, Dana White talked about the interest many people have in seeing Makhachev’s next fight. White confirmed that the UFC’s schedule is set for December and that Makhachev plans to defend the title against Tsarukyan.
“I don’t know now, yeah. We have our program configured so we will see. I’m not doing anything until I know Connor is healthy. Until, you know, ‘What about September? What about October?” He’s not ready. So, why do we even talk about it?” White commented.
Makhachev’s Road to Greatness
As Makhachev prepares for his fourth title defence, he continues to pursue greatness. With each win, he comes closer to breaking records and cementing his legacy. October’s fight against the Tsarukyan will be a major test of his skills and skills. Fans are eagerly waiting to see if Makhachev can continue his dominant run and maintain his status as one of the greatest fighters in UFC history.
The UFC world is buzzing in the wake of the Makhachev vs. Tsarukyan fight. With both fighters bringing their A-game, fans can expect an electrifying clash. While Oliveira’s quest means victory for Makhachev, the elusive nature of MMA makes it surprising. Excitement continues to build as the October date approaches, promising to be a memorable clash inside the Octagon.
