Islam Makhachev fires shot at ‘lucky’ Arman Tsarukyan after running through late-replacement opponent at UFC 311

In the main event of UFC 311, Islam Makhachev did what was expected of Islam Makhachev, knocking out Renato Moicano with ease and securing a first-round submission.

It was another phenomenal performance from the dominant Dagestani, with Joe Rogan already making the case for Makhachev to be bigger than Khabib Nurmagomedov – he's just as good.

But what comes next for Islam Makhachev?

Well, if his final jab of the night was anything to go by, it sounds like the UFC lightweight title picture is going further than his original opponent; and quite quickly at that.

Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG

Islam Makhachev takes shot at Arman Tsarukyan after title win

Arman Tsarukyan withdrew from UFC 311 approximately 24 hours before he was due to make his entrance and given the nature of his budding rivalry with Makhachev, the pound-for-pound champion was keen to get one last potshot at the Armenian.

“Long camp, I'm prepared for anyone. You know, in this camp we trained so hard,” Makhachev said as he left the Intuit Dome arena, teasing that “someone was lucky not to be there.”

Luckily, though, UFC fans shouldn't expect the promotion to rebook the original UFC 311 main event anytime soon.

At the post-fight press conference, UFC CEO Dana White stated that Arman Tsarukyan would not get the next lightweight title and will instead have to “fight his way back to the title.”

Just a few minutes later, Tsarukyan would agree with White's assessment of the 155-pound title picture – instead of demanding his rematch against Makhachev, he called up former champion Charles Oliveira, this time for a five-round affair.

Charles Oliveira himself has called for the next title shot against Islam Makhachev, but when will the Dagestani be ready to step into the octagon again?

Islam Makhachev reveals his ideal timeline for next UFC title fight

Islam Makhachev has been on a stop-start schedule for the past five years; participating three times in 2021, twice in 2022 and 2023, but only once in 2024.

Fortunately, the 27-1 champion is looking to get more regular appearances in the coming calendar year, telling the UFC News crew that he would like to make his fifth title defense in the summer.

“In my division I finish all my work – who do we have? All [of them] I defeated… Dana. I'll wait, just call me. That's it.

“International Fight Week, that's in June or July? I will be ready.”

The specific dates for International Fight Week 2025 have not yet been officially announced. Last year the celebration of all things MMA took place in the last week of June.

If Islam Makhachev gets his way regarding a return in the summer of 2025, who would you like to see him there with?

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