Makhachev Looks To Answer Old Questions Vs. Tsarukyan

Islam Makhachev defends his UFC lightweight title in the main event of the upcoming UFC 311 fight card. His opponent in that scrap is a man he faced in 2019, Arman Tsarukyan. Makhachev won that fight, Tsarukyan’s UFC debut, by unanimous decision. The bout earned each man a $50,000 Fight of the Night bonus. Makhachev is approaching the rematch as an opportunity to answer any questions that might linger from his first meeting with Tsarukyan.

UFC 311, the first pay-per-view card on the UFC’s 2025 schedule, takes place on January 18, 2025 at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California. The pay-per-view portion of the event begins at 10:00 p.m. ET on ESPN+ PPV following prelims on ESPNews at 8:00 p.m. ET and early prelims on ESPN+ at 6:00 p.m. ET.

UFC 311: Islam Makhachev on Arman Tsarukyan

“Honestly, I like to fight for the second time because, when I fight someone for the second time, I know everything that my opponent can do, and it’s not going to be a surprise for me,” Makhachev told the UFC when talking about rematches.

“The first fight, he (Tsarukyan) defended my wrestling. He’s tough, that’s why he gave me a hard time,” said Makhachev.

“But now I know everything that he can do.”

Tsarukyan has not been finished since Alexander Belikh knocked him out in 2015. The fight was Tsarukyan’s second as a pro. In his most recent fight, former UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira registered four submission attempts against Tsarukyan (22-3), but was unable to get the finish.

Makhachev thinks he will be able to do what no one in the UFC has been able to, stop Tsarukyan in the Octagon.

“Charles, every round, almost finished him. Did some guillotines, did some triangle chokes. Everything was very close, but I think I have more chance (to finish him).”

“I like to finish the old questions,” Makhachev said.

“When I fought (Alex) Volkanovski, I told everybody I have to finish the questions and finish him. That’s why, with the second fight, I was looking for the finish, to make everybody shut up.”

Makhachev (26-1) is coming off a submission win over former UFC interim lightweight champion Dustin Poirier at UFC 302. He is unbeaten in his past 14 fights and is looking to set a record for UFC lightweight title defenses at UFC 311.

UFC 311 Main Event: Islam Makhachev Vs. Arman Tsarukyan 1 Recap

When these two first stared each other down from across the Octagon, Makhachev was 16-1 overall and 4-1 in the UFC. As for Tsarukyan, he had an overall mark of 13-1 and was making his UFC debut.

When these two first stared each other down from across the Octagon, Makhachev was 16-1 overall and 4-1 in the UFC. As for Tsarukyan, he had an overall mark of 13-1 and was making his UFC debut. Tsarukyan looked to establish his striking and keep distance from Makhachev with kicks early, but the two quickly went into a wrestling battle, with both fighters working well with pressure against the fence before Makhachev scored a nifty takedown that put Tsarukyan on his back. However, he did not accept the position and returned to his feet.

Tsarukyan then responded with a takedown of his own, but like Makhachev, he could not establish a ground position before his opponent got to his feet. The two exchanged head kick attempts from distance to open the second stanza. As in the first round, the two mixed takedown attempts with their striking with Makhachev getting the best of those attempts thanks to his chain wrestling and relentless attack. Once on the mat, Tsarukyan looked for a kimura but could not set the submission attempt. Tsarukyan then got back to his feet, and the two engaged in a battle against the fence for the remainder of the round.

The third round mirrored the first 10 minutes of the contest, with both men active in the striking department early before returning to their wrestling. As in the first two rounds, Makhachev had more success with two takedowns and 2:31 of control time.

The fast-paced 15-minute battle went to Makhachev with scores of 30-27, 30-27, and 29-28. The contest took home “Fight of the Night” honors and established both men as potential title contenders. The UFC commentary team, who had not seen Tsarukyan in the Octagon, were especially effusive in their praise of his effort in his UFC debut.

The fight ended with Makhachev landing 47 of 53 total strikes while going four for nine in takedown attempts. He added 6:06 of control time. Meanwhile, Tsarukyan landed 60 of 90 total strikes and had one takedown on 12 attempts, while picking up 1:47 of control time. Neither man logged a submission or a reversal.

Rewatching their first meeting, it’s no surprise to see these two running things back in a title fight in 2024.

UFC 311 Main Event Opening Odds: Islam Makhachev Vs. Arman Tsarukyan

According to BetOnline, Makhachev opened as the betting favorite in this rematch, opening at -255, while Tsarukyan was the +215 betting underdog.

The closing odds of their first fight saw Makhachev enter the Octagon as the -300 betting favorite over the +240 Tsarukyan.

We will have more on UFC 311: Islam Makhachev vs. Arman Tsarukyan, as fight night nears.