Oct 22, 2022; Abu Dhabi, UAE; Islam Makhachev (blue gloves) celebrates with the title belt after defeating Charles Oliveira (red gloves) during UFC 280 at Etihad Arena. Mandatory Credit: Craig Kidwell-USA TODAY Sports

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UFC 311: Islam Makhachev Can Set A New All-Time Lightweight Record With A Win Over Arman Tsarukyan

A victory over Arman Tsarukyan could etch Islam Makhachev’s name into the annals of lightweight history forever!

The UFC lightweight division has always been a shark tank of incredible talent. From BJ Penn’s dominance in the late 2000s to Khabib Nurmagomedov’s unstoppable reign, the 155-pound weight class has seen some truly remarkable champions. But now, Islam Makhachev is on the verge of doing something no other lightweight champion has ever achieved!

The occasionally funny yet absolutely lethal warrior from Dagestan stands at the doorstep of history as he prepares to face Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 311, where a win would give him an unprecedented fourth title defense.

Also Read: Islam Makhachev Opens Up On The Nate Diaz Altercation Backstage

What Record Will Islam Makhachev Break If He Beat Arman Tsarukyan?

Islam Makhachev’s journey to the top hasn’t been a walk in the park. Coming up as Khabib Nurmagomedov’s training partner, he faced the enormous pressure of following in his mentor’s footsteps.

Since claiming the belt from Charles Oliveira in 2022, Makhachev has been an absolute force of nature. He has already matched the record of three title defenses, putting him in elite company alongside Khabib Nurmagomedov, Benson Henderson, and the legendary BJ Penn. His recent victories over Alexander Volkanovski (twice) and Dustin Poirier have shown that he’s not just winning. He is dominating some of the best fighters on the planet.

What makes this potential record even more impressive is Makhachev’s current 14-fight win streak. He is sitting pretty with the third-longest win streak in UFC history, behind only Kamaru Usman (15) and Anderson Silva (16).

Islam Makhachev is tied for the most lightweight title fight wins in UFC history. Could he add another to claim the record at #UFC311? 🏆

Saturday, January 18 | 10 PM ET | ESPN+ PPV 🍿 pic.twitter.com/QQeud5O2cg
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) January 10, 2025

Islam Makhachev’s potential achievement is particularly meaningful when fans consider the lightweight division’s history. No one has managed more than three title defenses, which shows just how competitive this weight class is.

Every champion faces a murderer’s row of contenders, and staying on top requires more than just skill, it demands near perfection. At 33 years old, Makhachev isn’t just chasing records; he’s building a legacy that could define this era of lightweight MMA.

(Image Credit: Craig Kidwell – Imagn Images)

Arman Tsarukyan

Islam Makhachev

UFC 311

Zaid Quraishi

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I am a dedicated MMA and Boxing content writer at The Playoffs. I was instantly hooked on MMA after watching the fight between Lyoto Machida vs. Gegard Mousasi back in 2014, and since then, i have been an avid writer with a deep love for the sport and its techniques, providing readers with a thorough understanding of the sport. My favorite aspect of working at The Playoffs is the creative freedom it provides. The diverse range of topics, from listicles and SEO to news articles, keeps me engaged and motivates me to continuously improve my skills! I aim to capture the excitement of the combat sports world in my writing, acting as the middleman between fighters and their die-hard fans. It is kind of like a referee, but with words!