UFC’s top-ranked 155lbs contender, Arman Tsarukyan, is just weeks away from making history. On January 18, at the Intuit Dome, during the first UFC pay-per-view event of 2025, ‘Ahalkalakets’ will enter the octagon not only to settle a long-standing rivalry with the division kingpin, Islam Makhachev, but also to become the first Armenian fighter to compete for the prestigious UFC title. Known for its fierce competition, the lightweight division has seen the Armenian’s steady rise, and he is now poised to dethrone the reigning champion and cement his place in history.

As UFC 311 quickly approaches, Arman Tsarukyan opened up about the sacrifices he’s made in pursuit of this opportunity. In an interview with Redcorner MMA, ‘Ahalkalakets’ reflected on his journey: “I realize the responsibility I have, and I’ve poured everything into this—my time, my money, my health, and everything else—to make it happen. It’s been five years since we fought, and time has flown by. I can’t believe it’s already been 10 fights, and I’m now the number one contender.”

Arman Tsarukyan’s first UFC loss came under tough circumstances—he took the fight against Islam Makhachev on short notice, showcasing his exceptional wrestling in the process. Despite the defeat, it remains one of the toughest challenges for the Dagestani native, who was already riding a four-fight win streak. Since then, the title challenger has steadily climbed the ranks, winning five straight fights, including victories over fighters like Christos Giagos and Joe Alvarez. His only setback came in 2022 against Mateusz Gamrot, but he quickly bounced back, securing four more wins, the most recent being a dominant performance against the formidable Charles Oliveira.

Looking ahead, Arman Tsarukyan is on a mission to extend his win streak to five by dethroning Islam Makhachev and claiming the lightweight title. However, this won’t be an easy task. The reigning champion enters UFC 311 as the favorite, with the Armenian considered the underdog. Nevertheless, Tsarukyan has a deep belief in his ability to win, and in the following sections, we will explore the reasons why he’s so confident that he can defeat Makhachev.

Arman Tsarukyan spills three reasons why he’ll overthrow Islam Makhachev

UFC 311 presents a historic opportunity not only for Arman Tsarukyan but also for Islam Makhachev. With an impressive undefeated record in his last 14 fights, the reigning champion has successfully defended his lightweight title three times, maintaining dominance in the division. Standing alongside MMA legends like Khabib Nurmagomedov, Benson Henderson, and BJ Penn, the Dagestani native is determined to leave no stone unturned in securing a victory over ‘Ahalkalakets’, who previously challenged him six years ago with a tough wrestling performance.

Since then, Arman Tsarukyan has evolved, gaining valuable experience and steadily climbing the lightweight rankings. Now, with unwavering confidence, he believes he has what it takes to dethrone Islam Makhachev. In an interview with ESPN’s Brett Okamoto, the Armenian stated, “First of all, I know how to wrestle very well. Secondly, I’m young and hungry. I’ve never had a belt, so that drives me a lot. I have plenty of energy for training, and I believe in myself. I’m the guy who is going to beat him.”

With the stakes higher than ever, the question remains: Will Aramn Tsarukyan’s six years of hard work and sacrifice pay off, allowing him to dethrone Islam Makhachev and end his 14-fight win streak? What’s your take on this highly anticipated lightweight showdown? Share your thoughts and predictions below!