Islam Makhachev next fight, opponent and date leaked by Khabib Nurmagomedov MMA school
Islam Makhachev looks set to have his fourth UFC lightweight title defence at UFC 311 in January.
This is according to the official account of Khabib Nurmagomedov’s MMA school that the future bout.
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The MMA gym confirmed in an Instagram post on Monday that Makhachev would face Arman Tsarukyan on January 18 in Los Angeles for the main event of UFC 311.
Nurmagomedov is Makhachev's cousin and cornered the UFC lightweight champion in his last octagon appearance against Dustin Poirier in July.
Makhachev is the current UFC pound-for-pound No.1 ranked fighter, ahead of names like Alex Pereira and Jon Jones.
He picked up the lightweight belt for the first time by defeating Charles Oliveira at UFC 280 two years ago, before defending it in consecutive victories over Alexander Volkanovski.
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Makhachev’s first bout with Volkanovski went the distance and some fans thought the Australian had even won the bout, but the second at UFC 294 ended with a devastating head kick in the first round.
The Russian then went five rounds with Dustin Poirier, submitting him in the final championship round with a D’Arce Choke to make it four consecutive title defences.
He has only lost one of his fights in Dana White’s promotion since his debut in May 2015, which makes it 15 wins in 16 bouts.
Makhachev has previously fought Tsarukyan, who has recently skyrocketed to the summit of the UFC lightweight division after impressive victories over Oliveira and Beneil Dariush.
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Armenia’s Tsarukyan was only making his UFC debut when he fought Makhachev and went on a five-fight win streak after the defeat.
Makhachev beat Tsarukyan in a close affair via unanimous decision at a UFC Fight Night event in April 2019.
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Tsarukyan lost to Mateusz Gamrot in June 2022 after five rounds, before crawling his way back up the lightweight division by defeating Damir Ismagulov, Joaquim Silva, Dariush and Oliveira.
MMA fans were quick to react to the breaking news regarding Makhachev’s next title defence fight.
One took to X and said: “I’m so hyped for this fight. Their first was so close and both fighters have evolved so much since then.
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Another added: “This fight might be a banger. I think Islam takes it though.”
And a third responded: “Going to be a great way to kickoff the 2025 PPV’s!”
There has been no official confirmation from UFC President White regarding the fight yet, but it is expected that it will be announced very soon.
have suggested the bout will take place in the Intui Dome, Los Angeles, which is the new two billion dollar home of NBA team LA Clippers.
UFC's next PPV event takes place in less than two weeks as Jon Jones defends his heavyweight belt against Stipe Miocic.
Oliveira also features on the card in New York City on November 17 as he faces Michael Chandler in a five-round co-main event.
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