SUMMARY
- With the current Lightweight Champion, Islam Makhachev, out from injury, his next opponent is yet to be finalized.
- UFC lightweight fighter Arman Tsarukyan makes a statement claiming to be next in line against Champion Islam Makhachev before Justin Gaethje.
The UFC lightweight division is getting more and more intense. Being the current most-stacked division in the UFC. With elite fighters and hungry competitors even beyond the top 10, this makes the booking quite complicated and a challenge for the organization. With the current Lightweight Champion, Islam Makhachev, out from injury, his next opponent is yet to be finalized.
UFC President Dana White recently announced that the No. 1 ranked and initial title contender Charles Oliveira will be facing No. 4 ranked lightweight Arman Tsarukyan at the historic UFC 300 main card for the next title shot. In a recent interview with UFC Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier and former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman, Tsarukyan shared his thoughts on the same.
He stated, “If you’re gonna compare Makhachev and Oliveira, it’s like completely different fighters. Islam is a high-level fighter, but Charles he has some more weaknesses; took him down; it’s very easy”. These were his thoughts on his upcoming opponent, Charles, considering him to be an easier fight than the current Lightweight Champion Islam. He also claimed to have knocked out the Brazilian fighter in the first round.
The lightweight fighter was further asked how he felt as Islam called out Justin Gaethje for his next opponent in June and said he would fight Arman or Charles in possibly October. Tsarukyan commented, “I feel like we are next Gaethje gotta wait us. When I win, I’m gonna fight with Islam and then we can talk about Gaethje”. Clarifying that he thinks he should be the next opponent for the title after UFC 300.
Islam Makhachev reveals his next three-fight plans and calls out Justin Gaethje
After the announcement by Dana White for the lightweight title fight, things have stirred. This happened when the Champion Islam Makhachev revealed that he didn’t have any interest in rematching against former Champion Charles Oliveira after defeating him at UFC 280 for the title. Another title contender would be Arman Tsarukyan, whom he defeated at UFC Fight Night 149 on Arman’s debut.
Oliveira was initially scheduled to fight Makhachev at UFC 294 but had to drop out due to an injury above his right eye. He was later replaced by Featherweight Champion Alexander Volkanovski. As shared by Dana, Islam is out due to a leg injury that he reportedly faced after planting a head kick at Volkanovski; therefore, Charles will have to fight again for his title shot.
Islam Makhachev lays out a plan for his next three fights 👀 pic.twitter.com/zrJ1gHYu9m
— MMA Fighting (@MMAFighting) January 10, 2024
Adding more to the story Makhachev recently posted his plan for the next 13 months. The Russian shared that he wants to fight twice this year. His first opponent he wants to be is BMF champion Justin Gaethje in June. Both fighters have had a to and fro on social media, with both interested in squaring up. Fans are excited to watch the two share the octagon together.
The second bout for 2024 would be against the winner of Oliveira vs. Arman at UFC 300 in November. Islam Makhchev also shared that he is ready to face anyone in February 2025 for his next match after November. Only time will tell who will be Makhchev’s first opponent in 2024. And where will the lightweight division be headed after UFC 300?