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Arman Tsarukyan Names 3 Opponent Options For Interim UFC Title Fight In Light Of Islam Makhachev Injury

Should his expected shot at Islam Makhachev’s UFC lightweight title be delayed until 2025, Arman Tsarukyan is open to facing another contender for interim status. Tsarukyan secured his first opportunity at gold on MMA’s biggest stage by recording his biggest win to date at the expense of former champion Charles Oliveira on the milestone UFC […]

Continue Reading Arman Tsarukyan Names 3 Opponent Options For Interim UFC Title Fight In Light Of Islam Makhachev Injury at MMA News.

Should his expected shot at Islam Makhachev’s UFC lightweight title be delayed until 2025, Arman Tsarukyan is open to facing another contender for interim status.

Tsarukyan secured his first opportunity at gold on MMA’s biggest stage by recording his biggest win to date at the expense of former champion Charles Oliveira on the milestone UFC 300 card this past April.

With the promotion always looking to have Makhachev defend his belt in Abu Dhabi, Tsarukyan was expected to challenge his former opponent in the main event of UFC 308 this coming October.

Disaster stuck recently, however, after Makhachev suffered a severe hand injury that could leave him on the sidelines until late 2024 or even the next calendar year.

While a patient wait until December would be welcomed by Tsarukyan, the top contender wouldn’t mind returning to action in the meantime should the latter of those two timelines come to fruition…

Tsarukyan Open To Poirier, Gaethje, Chandler Matchups For Interim Title

During a recent appearance on Submission Radio, Tsarukyan provided an update on the status of his title shot following confirmation that Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway for the featherweight belt will instead top the UFC 308 lineup on Oct. 26.

The Russian-Armenian acknowledged that he may need to wait until 2025 to compete with undisputed gold on the line. And if that’s the case, he’d be open to adding a second champ to the division by facing either Dustin Poirier, Justin Gaethje, or Michael Chandler for an interim strap.

“My manager told me I was gonna fight in October versus Islam, and then he said to UFC that he got injured. Now, they’ve moved that fight to December or maybe next year,” Tsarukyan said. “Of course it’s sad, because I already started training really hard and I’m in shape. … But it is what it is.

“If it’s December, for me it doesn’t matter. I’m gonna wait and train as much as I can,” Tsarukyan continued. “If Islam can’t fight this year, for sure I would like to fight for the interim title, and it doesn’t matter who is gonna be in front of me. Dustin Poirier, he is a solid fighter and he has a lot of experience. Yeah, it would be great. Dustin, Gaethje — Michael Chandler as well.”

During his rise up the lightweight ladder, Tsarukyan frequently accused the likes of Gaethje and Chandler of holding their top five positions hostage by not fighting up-and-comers.

More recently, his focus has been on Chandler’s continued wait for Conor McGregor’s comeback, which was recently scrapped from the UFC 303 card in June due to an injury to the Irishman.

Does it mean we can finally watch you lose 4 exciting fights now? https://t.co/wdkR5sos3v

— Arman Tsarukyan UFC (@ArmanUfc) August 6, 2024

With talk of Chandler finally moving on, perhaps the former three-time Bellator champ will be receptive to Tsarukyan’s interim title pitch.

Read More: Umar Nurmagomedov Touts Bellator Champion As Islam Makhachev’s UFC Lightweight Successor

Continue Reading Arman Tsarukyan Names 3 Opponent Options For Interim UFC Title Fight In Light Of Islam Makhachev Injury at MMA News.

Umar Nurmagomedov Touts Bellator Champion As Islam Makhachev’s UFC Lightweight Successor

UFC bantamweight contender Umar Nurmagomedov has an idea of who could inherit the promotion’s lightweight crown from Islam Makhachev upon the conclusion of his career. Makhachev has occupied the throne at 155 pounds since UFC 280 in 2022, where he emphatically got the better of former champ Charles Oliveira, first dropping “Do Bronx” and then […]

Continue Reading Umar Nurmagomedov Touts Bellator Champion As Islam Makhachev’s UFC Lightweight Successor at MMA News.

UFC bantamweight contender Umar Nurmagomedov has an idea of who could inherit the promotion’s lightweight crown from Islam Makhachev upon the conclusion of his career.

Makhachev has occupied the throne at 155 pounds since UFC 280 in 2022, where he emphatically got the better of former champ Charles Oliveira, first dropping “Do Bronx” and then finding the submission in round two.

The Russian has since successfully defended the gold three times, brushing away two challenges from then-featherweight kingpin Alexander Volkanovski in 2023 before stalling the late-career title ambitions of Dustin Poirier at UFC 302 in Newark this past June.

The reign of Makhachev is far from over, with a rematch against Arman Tsarukyan expected to serve as his next task. Beyond that, a potential shot at two-division glory up at welterweight could be on the cards depending on if frequent training partner Belal Muhammad remains champion.

But given how his friend and mentor Khabib Nurmagomedov departed the sport on top, comparisons with “The Eagle” have included talk of such a departure for Makhachev, who has already tied Khabib for most lightweight title wins and consecutive defenses.

When the reigning king does decide to relinquish his grip on the crown at 155 pounds, it would appear that his team already have plans for the division’s future — and they include the UFC poaching one of the PFL’s best…

Umar Reveals Plans For Nurmagomedov Takeover Post-Makhachev

During an interview with Hosheh MMA prior to his latest victory at the UFC Fight Night in Abu Dhabi this past weekend, Nurmagomedov was asked to predict the next UFC lightweight champion after Makhachev.

Before the current titleholder reached the mountaintop, the plan had long been laid out by Khabib, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, and their team for Makhachev to succeed “The Eagle.”

Now, Usman Nurmagomedov is the highly regarded lightweight seemingly lying in waiting.

“After Islam? We have plans for Usman,” Umar Nurmagomedov said. “Yes, (Usman will come to the UFC). Why not? I don’t know what’s going to be in the future, but that’s the goal.”

Usman currently rules as the Bellator 155-pound champ, now under the banner of the Professional Fighters League (PFL). The undefeated Dagestani won the belt from Patricky Pitbull in 2022 and subsequently defended it against Benson Henderson.

Most recently, Nurmagomedov had a victory over Brent Primus overturned after he tested positive for a banned substance in a prescription drug. He’s set to return from suspension to defend against Alexandr Shabliy at the Bellator Champions Series event in San Diego next month.

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A post shared by Usman Nurmagomedov (@usman_nurmagomedov)

Read More: Francis Ngannou’s MMA Return Official For PFL Super Fight Card On Oct. 19, Cris Cyborg Co-Headlines

Continue Reading Umar Nurmagomedov Touts Bellator Champion As Islam Makhachev’s UFC Lightweight Successor at MMA News.

Coach backs Islam Makhachev to make huge middleweight move: ‘He’s that good’

Forever staking his claim for a move to the welterweight limit prior to his friend, Belal Muhammad’s title coronation…

Forever staking his claim for a move to the welterweight limit prior to his friend, Belal Muhammad’s title coronation at UFC 304 earlier this month, lightweight best, Islam Makhachev has now been backed to excel as high as middleweight, per his coach, Javier Mendez.

Makhachev, the current undisputed lightweight champion, has been sidelined since he headlined UFC 302 back in May, successfully defending his crown for a third time in a fifth round D’Arce choke submission win against former interim gold holder, Dustin Poirier.

islam makhachev russia reacts victory 795097769

And expected to return at UFC 308 in October in Abu Dhabi, Makhachev has been ruled from the event amid an arm injury, which may require a surgical procedure to address – postponing an targeted rematch with number one contender, Arman Tsarukyan.

Instead booked to headline the Etihad Arena card – undisputed featherweight kingpin, Ilia Topuria draws the former champion, Max Holloway in a title grudge fight in the Middle East.

Islam Makhachev tipped to make middleweight leap

And while calling for a title fight with Leon Edwards ahead of UFC 304, Islam Makhachev has since cooled talk of a leap to 170lbs after his close friend, Muhammad lifted the crown in Manchester – and instead, has been tipped to succeed at middleweight in a huge two-division leap.

Islam Makhachev turns down fight with Michael Chandler you are unreliable dude

“That’s a good reason to fight Arman (Tsarukyan) or anybody else any you get the most defenses in the lightweight history,” Javier Mendez told Red Corner MMA. “I can’t believe three is the record. That’s just amazing how it turns over. So many fighters have won titles there but they never kept it more than three title defenses so Islam (Makhachev) will break the record and I want to see him go down as one of the greatest of all time.”

“And I believe he’s on track to do that,” Mendez explained. “So, him defending that lightweight title is on track for that. Then after that let’s see what happens – maybe Islam gains weight and goes [to] 185 [pounds]. I mean, he’d have to gain weight, obviously, because that’s a little big for him. You never know. He’s that good. Pound-for-pound number one for a reason.”

Do you think Islam Makhachev could excel at middleweight?

Islam Makhachev Welcomes Title Fight with Max Holloway: ‘Let’s go, let’s do it.’

UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev is open to fighting Max Holloway next time out, should the Hawaiian defeat Ilia…

UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev is open to fighting Max Holloway next time out, should the Hawaiian defeat Ilia Topuria to become the featherweight champion at UFC 308.

Holloway is looking to reclaim his featherweight belt, and if he wins, Islam Makhachev wants the Hawaiian to move up to lightweight. Makhachev is looking for new contenders to fight at lightweight and he believes a bout against Holloway makes a lot of sense and would be a fun fight for the fans.

“Why not?” he said of a Holloway fight at a recent Q&A session (via MMAMania). “I already beat Arman. If UFC puts him next, that’s no problem. But, I’m not excited much [by Tsarukyan]. I need new name, new challenger. I already beat Arman. If Max wants, let’s do it. I don’t need his BMF belt, but Max is a good name. It’s going to be a crazy fight for the fans. If he beats Topuria — this is a hard match-up for him. If he beats him and UFC wants this match? Let’s go.”

Although many believe Arman Tsarukyan should be the next title contender at lightweight, Islam Makhachev is hopeful Max Holloway will win so he can have the super fight next time out.

Max Holloway called for Islam Makhachev bout before UFC 300

At UFC 300, Max Holloway moved up to lightweight to face Justin Gaethje for the BMF belt. In the scrap, Holloway had a ton of success and scored a fifth-round knockout over Gaethje.

Although Holloway is now moving back down to featherweight, he did show interest in a return to lightweight to face Makhachev.

“I saw Islam talk about, ‘Oh, this fight makes no sense,’ and blah, blah, blah,” Max said leading up to UFC 300. “Brother, you should’ve fought Justin in February. If I can go out there and get my hand raised as we plan on doing, there’s a lot of fights that can be there for us. And one of them being the 155 champ, which I think would be a fun one.”

Holloway, of course, was scheduled to fight Khabib Nurmagomedov for the lightweight title shot on short notice at UFC 223 but he was not medically cleared.

Islam Makhachev Welcomes Title Fight with Max Holloway: ‘Let’s go, let’s do it.’

UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev is open to fighting Max Holloway next time out, should the Hawaiian defeat Ilia…

UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev is open to fighting Max Holloway next time out, should the Hawaiian defeat Ilia Topuria to become the featherweight champion at UFC 308.

Although many believe Arman Tsarukyan should be the next title contender at lightweight, Islam Makhachev is hopeful Max Holloway will win so he can have the super fight next time out.

Max Holloway called for Islam Makhachev bout before UFC 300

At UFC 300, Max Holloway moved up to lightweight to face Justin Gaethje for the BMF belt. In the scrap, Holloway had a ton of success and scored a fifth-round knockout over Gaethje.

Although Holloway is now moving back down to featherweight, he did show interest in a return to lightweight to face Makhachev.

Holloway, of course, was scheduled to fight Khabib Nurmagomedov for the lightweight title shot on short notice at UFC 223 but he was not medically cleared.

Dustin Poirier offers to fight Arman Tsarukyan for title with Islam Makhachev injured

Amid the current uncertainty over the extent of undisputed lightweight titleholder, Islam Makhachev’s arm injury, former champion, Dustin Poirier…

Amid the current uncertainty over the extent of undisputed lightweight titleholder, Islam Makhachev’s arm injury, former champion, Dustin Poirier remains open to the possibility of taking on fellow American Top Team star, Arman Tsarukyan in an interim title fight next.

Makhachev, the current undisputed lightweight champion, has been sidelined since he submitted the above-mentioned, Poirier back in May at UFC 302, through an undisclosed arm injury – with the extent of the layoff yet to be determined as he sports a supportive arm brace.

Dustin Poirier still unclear on fighting future I'm still unsure about what's next

Initially expected to fight number one ranked contender, Tsarukyan in a title rematch at UFC 308 in October, the promotion are instead now working on an undisputed featherweight title matchup between Ilia Topuria, and Max Holloway for the Abu Dhabi card instead.

Dustin Poirier interested in Arman Tsarukyan grudge fight

And while still weighing up his immediate fighting future off the back of his D’Arce choke loss to pound-for-pound number one, Makhachev, Lafayette striker, Poirier claimed he would be interested in fighting Tsarukyan in an impromptu interim championship pairing.

“I’m supposed to have surgery on my nose in October but like, if I’ve made a decision or something popped up I could push it back or whatever,” Dustin Poirier told MMA Junkie. “I’m just thinking, who is there for me to fight, but I’ve just got to do the 30 days, get in shape and get back on the mats hard, I haven’t been able to grapple.”

“I wonder what they’re [the UFC] are going to do, is Arman (Tsarukyan) gonna continue to wait for Islam (Makhachev)?” Dustin Poirier continued. “I don’t know when Islam’s gonna be back but I saw a thing that said he might have to have surgery so we’ll see, man. The lightweight division has been so crazy over these past years. Yeah for sure [an interim title fight with Tsarukyan] interests me.”

Who would win in a potential matchup: Dustin Poirier or Arman Tsarukyan?