UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev contacted his concerned mother immediately after his historic victory at UFC 311.
Islam Makhachev defeated replacement opponent Renato Moicano on Saturday in the UFC 311 main event in Los Angeles. The UFC's pound-for-pound No. 1 fighter put together another dominant performance inside the Octagon as he knocked out Moicano with a D'Arce choke in the first round.
Makhachev's performance forced UFC CEO Dana White to change his stance on the UFC pound-for-pound debate, a remarkable turnaround after months of media dialogue. He was scheduled to face Arman Tsarukyan in the UFC 311 main event before Tsarukyan withdrew due to injury. Still, after his performance against Moicano, it's hard to believe the fight would have gone any differently if he had stayed in the fight.
Makhachev's mother, much like that of his longtime friend and mentor Khabib Nurmagomedov, hates to see him fight in the Octagon. She rarely watches his fights because she hates to see her son harmed by doing what he loves.
After another signature performance at UFC 311, Makhachev made sure to reassure his mother that he was healthy and happy in the middle of a post-fight interview.
Photo by Mike Roach/Zuffa LLC
Islam Makhachev puts his mother's worries to rest with a dominant victory at UFC 311
During an interview with a reporter from Red Corner MMA, Makhachev took a selfie to send to his mother, who was unable to watch his fight at UFC 311.
“I have to send mom a picture because she doesn't watch my fights,” Makhachev explained.
Makhachev has repeatedly explained how his mother repeatedly tried to persuade him to retire during his career. Nurmagomedov, his UFC Hall of Fame mentor, retired in 2020 to fulfill a promise to his mother following the tragic death of his father leading up to UFC 254.
After UFC 311, Makhachev could potentially defend the UFC lightweight title for a sixth time, or move up to welterweight to challenge for two-weight world champion status. His UFC 311 win set the all-time record for UFC lightweight title defenses (5), tying him in a four-way tie with Benson Henderson, BJ Penn and Nurmagomedov.
Islam Makhachev has several options for the next fight after UFC 311
Makhachev has several potential opponent options after UFC 311, including a possible rematch against Charles Oliveira. Makhachev earned the title by submitting Oliveira at UFC 280, but Oliveira made a strong case for a rematch in a dominant performance against Michael Chandler at UFC 309 in November.
Tsarukyan will be ruled out of contention for the next UFC lightweight title following his last-second withdrawal from UFC 311, according to White and the matchmakers. He will have to work his way back into the title mix with at least one win before he can make his case for another shot at the title.
After a few more victories inside the Octagon, Makhachev could potentially put the fight behind him and give his mother some rest. Meanwhile, Makhachev continues to climb the ranks of the UFC's greatest competitors of all time.
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