Islam Makhachev is set to defend his UFC lightweight title in a rematch against Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 311 early next year. As far as challengers go, some see Tsarukyan as the most serious threat to the champ. The two first met in 2019 when Makhachev narrowly edged out the debuting Tsarukyan in a three-round lightweight contest.

After their first meeting, the two have exponentially improved in the octagon, never seeing the losing column since. In his most recent outing, Makhachev defended his throne against divisional legend Dustin Poirier at UFC 302 last June. Despite a solid effort from ‘The Diamond’, the Dagestani champion submitted him with a D’Arce choke in the fifth and final round.

While a lot of fans and fellow fighters were utterly impressed by Makhachev’s performance, UFC lightweight rising star Paddy Pimblett wasn’t. In a recent video uploaded on social media ‘Paddy The Baddy’ didn’t pick the lightweight champ’s finish as his Submission of the Year, saying:

“Islam’s choke was good, but it’s just a Darce choke. I like, transitioned from the guillotine to a triangle to an armbar on the feet. I think Khamzat [Chimaev] against Robert Whittaker was a better submission. No one’s done that to Robert Whittaker. Poirier’s been submitted multiple times before. I’d submit Dustin Poirier.”

In his last performance, Pimblett submitted King Green (formerly Bobby Green) with a wicked guillotine-to-triangle-choke which he did while on his feet. One can make the argument that his submission was indeed more impressive than Islam Mkhachev’s this year.

Islam Makhachev eyes “second belt” after Arman Tsarukyan fight

Ahead of his battle with Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 311 next year, Islam Makhachev sat down with his friend and former training partner Daniel Cormier to talk about his future and what he plans to do next should he get past his former opponent on Jan. 18.

“I’m looking behind Arman [Tsarukyan]. If I beat him, I don’t know. I’m tired [of] giving somebody [a] rematch, you know? I need a second belt [below] there. We’ll see. A lot of good fighters.”
This is an interesting take as getting a “second belt” might mean moving up to welterweight and challenging Belal Muhammad’s throne. Makhachev is close friends with the Palestinian-American champion, who went on record to say that he’ll never fight the lightweight champ.

There’s always an option to move down to featherweight to challenge Ilia Topuria, which is unlikely since the lightweight king has been seen to struggle to make the 155-pound requirement – let alone 145.