Islam Makhachev News

Harry Kettle - January 19, 2025

UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev has teased the idea of moving all the way up to middleweight. Last night, Islam Makhachev became the most decorated lightweight in UFC history. He did so by successfully defending his belt for a fourth time, submitting Renato Moicano in what proved to be a dominant performance.

Chris Taylor - January 18, 2025

Tonight’s UFC 311 pay-per-view event was headlined by a lightweight title fight between Islam Makhachev and Renato Moicano. Makhachev (27-1 MMA) was be looking to earn his fourth consecutive title defense this evening in California. The Russian standout was coming off stoppage wins over Dustin Poirier and Alexander Volkanovski in his most previous Octagon appearances.

Chris Taylor - January 18, 2025

We have you covered for all of tonight’s UFC 311 results, including the main event lightweight title fight between Islam Makhachev and Renato Moicano. Makhachev (26-1 MMA) was originally slated to square off with Arman Tsarukyan in tonight’s main event. However, the Armenian was forced to withdraw from the contest on Friday morning due to injury.

Chris Taylor - January 18, 2025

The Octagon returns to Inglewood for tonight’s UFC 311 event, a 13-bout fight card headlined by Islam Makhachev vs Renato Moicano. Makhachev (26-1 MMA) was originally slated to square off with Arman Tsarukyan in tonight’s main event. However, the Armenian was forced to withdraw from the contest on Friday morning due to injury.

Josh Evanoff - January 17, 2025

Renato Moicano has sent a warning to Islam Makhachev ahead of their UFC 311 title fight. The man known to fans as ‘Money Moicano’ has received the opportunity of a lifetime. Fresh off a stoppage victory over Benoit Saint-Denis in September, Renato Moicano was initially set to meet Beneil Dariush on Saturday. However, due to an injury to Arman Tsarukyan, the Brazilian has now been bumped to the main event.

Josh Evanoff - January 17, 2025

Islam Makhachev has released a statement following UFC 311’s main event shakeup. The Russian is set to return to the octagon in tomorrow night’s main event in Las Vegas. Back for the first time since scoring a submission win over Dustin Poirier last June, Islam Makhachev was set to meet Arman Tsarukyan. The UFC lightweight champion famously defeated the Armenian by unanimous decision in St. Petersburg back in 2019.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 17, 2025

Renato Moicano is stepping up to challenge Islam Makhachev at UFC 311 due to unforeseen circumstances. Makhachev was prepared to put his lightweight gold at stake against Arman Tsarukyan in the main event of UFC 311. UFC CEO Dana White broke some major news during the weigh-ins. There has been a change of plans, as Tsarukyan was forced off the card due to a back injury.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 17, 2025

UPDATE: The UFC 311 weigh-ins have ended and during the scale measurements, it was announced that Arman Tsarukyan has been replaced in the main event by Renato Moicano due to injury. The UFC 311 weigh-ins are underway.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 16, 2025

Charles Oliveira will be waiting for the winner of the UFC 311 main event. This Saturday night, Islam Makhachev will put the UFC Lightweight Championship at stake when he shares the Octagon with Arman Tsarukyan. Both men have grown significantly in the fight game since their first meeting back in 2019. Fans will soon get to see how things will play out in the rematch.

Cole Shelton - January 15, 2025

In the main event of UFC 311, the lightweight title is on the line as Islam Makhachev takes on Arman Tsarukyan. Heading into the fight, Makhachev is a sizeable -400 favorite while the challenger is a +285 underdog on FanDuel. Ahead of the scrap, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro-fighters to get their predictions for the fight. The pros believe Makhachev will beat Tsarukyan again to remain the UFC’s lightweight champ after UFC 311. However, all the pros believe it should be a very competitive fight as they feel like these are the two best lightweights.

BJ Penn Staff - January 15, 2025

Arman Tsarukyan has something special prepared for Islam Makhachev at UFC 311. The card goes down this Saturday in Los Angeles, and Tsarukyan will challenge Makhachev for the coveted lightweight title in the main event. Makhachev is considered the top pound-for-pound fighter in MMA at present, so Tsarukyan faces an uphill battle, but he says he has developed a new technique he believes will help him win the fight.

Cole Shelton - January 14, 2025

Islam Makhachev plans to make sure Arman Tsarukayn never talks about him again after UFC 311. Makhachev is set to rematch Tsarukyan in the main event of UFC 311 on Saturday night. It’s a highly-anticipated fight as it serves as a rematch of their 2019 bout which Makhachev won by decision. Tsarukyan had taken that fight on short notice in his UFC debut, but was still able to put forth a Fight of the Night performance.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 14, 2025

American Kickboxing Academy head coach Javier Mendez isn’t overlooking Arman Tsarukyan, but he thinks Islam Makhachev will further prove just how good he is at UFC 311. Makhachev will put his UFC Lightweight Championship at stake when he collides with Tsarukyan a second time. Makhachev scored a unanimous decision victory over Tsarukyan in their first meeting back in 2019. While that fight was a competitive three-round grappling exchange, what could the rematch have in store?

Harry Kettle - January 14, 2025

UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev has revealed that he previously wanted to step in for Khabib Nurmagomedov and fight Tony Ferguson. Right now, Islam Makhachev is easily one of the most impressive fighters in mixed martial arts. In fact, some would argue he’s the pound for pound best. This weekend, he’ll put that on the line – alongside his belt – when he defends against Arman Tsarukyan in the main event of UFC 311.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 13, 2025

A former UFC titleholder believes Islam Makhachev is simply on a higher level over Arman Tsarukyan. Makhachev and Tsarukyan will take center stage in the UFC 311 headliner this Saturday night. This will be Makhachev’s bid to become the new record holder for the most successful UFC lightweight title defenses. A win would not only further cement Makhachev’s legacy, it may also bring him one step closer to achieving his goal of becoming a double champion.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 12, 2025

Islam Makhachev appears determined to become a UFC “champ-champ,” no matter the cost. Makhachev is the reigning UFC lightweight titleholder. He is one successful title defense away from breaking the UFC record at 155 pounds. He’ll look to achieve that feat when he collides with Arman Tsarukyan in a rematch at UFC 311 on January 18th.

Josh Evanoff - January 7, 2025

UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev has opened up on his near-brawl with Nate Diaz. The two stars were in Las Vegas for last month’s UFC 311 presser. In the pay-per-view headliner next month in Los Angeles, Islam Makhachev will meet rising contender Arman Tsarukyan. The Russian famously handed the young lightweight a unanimous decision loss in Saint Petersburg back in 2019. However, tensions weren’t high between Makhachev and his next title challenger at the press conference.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 5, 2025

American Kickboxing Academy head coach Javier Mendez has offered his take on why Islam Makhachev is ahead of Jon Jones on the UFC pound-for-pound list. The topic has been heavily debated ever since UFC CEO Dana White blasted those who have Makhachev at the top of the list. While you won’t see many argue that Jones has accomplished far more in his pro MMA career than Makhachev, being the pound-for-pound best fighter today has more to do with recent sustained success.