Lightweight champion Islam Makhachev will go for his fourth consecutive title defense against a familiar foe when he rematches Arman Tsarukyan in the UFC 311 main event.
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 Volkanovski 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.
Given Makhachev’s current status and their past encounter, 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.
For those wanting to watch the event, the fight between Islam Makhachev and Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 311 is scheduled for Saturday, January 18, 2025, taking place at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California. The event will be broadcasted on ESPN+ pay-per-view.
For more information about the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 311.
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