Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Lightweight champion Islam Makhachev makes his first appearance of 2025 at UFC 311 this weekend (Sat., Jan. 18, 2025) as he tries to become the all-time leader for UFC lightweight title fight wins (5) as he takes on No. 1 contender Arman Tsarukyan inside the brand-new Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, California.
Makhachev vs. Tsarukyan 2 is one of the most highly skilled fights the promotion can put on right now because of their elite wrestling and grappling and how close their first fight was.
However, Makhachev is very confident because he’s undefeated in rematches.
“I’m always good in rematches; he has to be ready,” Makhachev told Kevin Iole. “Because [it helps] when I know my opponent, what he has to do, and what he’s going to do. I have a great team, and we made a very good plan for this fight.”
Indeed, Makhachev is dominant in rematches, even though he’s only had one. The Dagastani fighter ran it back with the UFC Featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski eight months after their epic first fight, in which Makhachev was taken to the brink of defeat.
In the highly anticipated rematch, Makhachev knocked Volkanovski out in three minutes with a vicious head kick, ending their rivalry (watch highlights).
Is Makhachev setting the stage for an easy night against Tsarukyan? Well, we will all fight out in t-minus four days.
Remember that MMAmania.com will deliver LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the entire UFC 311 fight card right here, starting with the ESPN+/ESPNEWS “Prelims” matches online, which are scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. ET, before the main card start time at 10 p.m. ET (also on ESPN+).
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