Copy Edited by Ramon Rivera III
Reigning champion Islam Makhachev from Dagestan, Russia, is fighting to defend his lightweight belt against the surging contender, Arman Tsarukyan, in a rematch years in the making. This fight tests how far both fighters have improved since their first meeting in 2019, where Makhachev secured a hard-fought unanimous decision victory. Now, with the stakes higher than ever, these two elite fighters will meet again to determine who truly reigns supreme in the UFC’s lightweight division.
Islam Makhachev (25-1) has firmly established himself as one of the most dominant forces in MMA and the undeniable king of the 155-pound division. Furthermore, he is considered the #1 ranked pound-for-pound fighter in the UFC athlete rankings. A disciple of the legendary Khabib Nurmagomedov, Makhachev’s grappling, fight IQ, and versatility have made him a nightmare matchup for anyone in the lightweight division. Since capturing the lightweight belt in a stunning victory over Charles Oliveira at UFC 280, Makhachev has successfully defended his title spectacularly, including a memorable head-kick knockout of Alexander Volkanovski in their rematch at UFC 294. With his lethal combination of top-tier wrestling and improving striking, Makhachev has repeatedly proven why he is the champion. However, this rematch against Tsarukyan presents a unique challenge.
Arman Tsarukyan (21-3) has been on a tear through the lightweight division since his close loss to Makhachev in their first encounter. At just 27 years old, Tsarukyan has matured into one of the most dangerous and well-rounded fighters in the world. His pace, explosive grappling, and striking have made him a top contender at 155 pounds. Tsarukyan is coming off a string of victories, including a knockout of Joaquim Silva and a hard-fought decision win over Mateusz Gamrot. His unwavering cardio, high fight IQ, and strong offense have earned him respect as one of the most complete fighters in the division. Now, with years of growth since their first fight, Tsarukyan is ready to prove that he belongs at the top by dethroning the champion.
For Makhachev, this fight is an opportunity to further cement his legacy as one of the if not greatest lightweight contenders in UFC history. For Tsarukyan, this is the chance to create his legacy, going from a promising prospect to a world champion.
The rematch between Islam Makhachev and Arman Tsarukyan is one of the most anticipated lightweight title fights in recent light. Fans in Townsend Harris speculate that Islam Makhachev is going to sweep this fight and keep the belt. Will Makhachev’s dominance continue, or will Tsarukyan pull off the upset and become the new lightweight champion? This is a fight you don’t want to miss.
