Islam Makhachev Vs. Arman Tsarukyan 2

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 26: Former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Zuffa LLC
Since their first meeting, which took place in 2019, and Makhachev won by unanimous decision, Makhachev (26-1) has compiled a 9-0 record with seven finishes (five submissions, two knockouts) and two decisions. Makhachev captured the vacant UFC lightweight title in October 2022 with a submission win over former UFC 155-pound titleholder Charles Oliveira.
Makhachev has defended his crown three times since defeating Oliveira. His first two title defenses were a decision win and knockout of then-UFC featherweight champ Alexander Volkanovski. In his most recent outing, Makhachev submitted former UFC interim lightweight champion Dustin Poirier in the main event of UFC 302.
Makhachev has earned fight-night bonus awards for each of his UFC title fights.
Tsarukyan (22-3) has a 9-1 mark since his loss to Makhachev, which came in his UFC debut. He rebounded from that defeat with five consecutive victories before dropping a decision to Mateusz Gamrot in June 2022.
After the loss to Gamrot, Tsarukyan ran off four straight wins with two knockouts and two decisions. He is coming off a split-decision victory over Oliveira at UFC 300 in April.
Today, Tsarukyan is the No. 1 fighter in the official UFC lightweight rankings, while Makhachev is the No. 1 fighter in the promotion’s pound-for-pound rankings.