Coach Javier Mendez called Poirier Makhachev’s toughest fight to date. Nurmagomedov thinks Makhachev can only grow from a back-and-forth battle such as that, which was a nominee for the 2024 Fight of the Year.

Islam Makhachev and Arman Tsarukyan had an intense face-off in their pre-fight presser ahead of their lightweight clash at UFC 311 on Saturday. Makhachev puts his UFC Lightweight Title on the line. Islam defeated Dustin Poirier at UFC 302 in his last fight.

Standing out in the UFC's lightweight division is a tall order. It's the sport's deepest and most star-studded talent pool. Khabib Nurmagomedov, Conor McGregor, Dustin Poirier, Charles Oliveira and Max Holloway are among the high-profile fighters who have fought in the division and for the title in the last seven years.

SportsLine's Daniel Vithlani reveals his picks for the UFC 311: Makhachev vs. Tsarukyan 2 fight card from Intuit Dome in Inglewood, Calif., on Saturday

Khabib Nurmagomedov has given his thoughts on Arman Tsarukyan being replaced by Renato Moicano to fight Islam Makhachev at UFC 311

As far as a possible trilogy with Arman Tsarukyan is concerned, you can count Islam Makhachev out. Makhachev (26-1 MMA, 15-1 UFC) will put his lightweight championship on the line in a rematch with Tsarukyan (22-3 MMA,

With UFC 311 set for tonight, here are the best sports betting sites and sportsbook promos for the MMA card from Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California: UFC 311 is headlined by Islam Makhachev vs.

UFC 311 continues with the UFC lightweight title fight between Islam Makhachev and Arman Tsarukyan. Check out our UFC odds series for our Makhachev-Tsarukyan prediction.

Tsarukyan (22-3 MMA, 9-2 UFC) challenges lightweight champion Makhachev (26-1 MMA, 15-1 UFC) in a rematch, which headlines the Jan. 18 event from Intuit Dome in Inglewood, Calif., and airs on ESPN+ pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and ESPN+.

Makhachev (26-1 MMA, 15-1 UFC) notched his third title defense when he submitted Poirier in Round 5 at UFC 302 in June. Makhachev, who’s dominated most of his opposition throughout his career, was surprised with how competitive “The Diamond” made things.

👀Robert Whittaker says there is a 'skill gap' between Islam Makhachev and Arman Tsarukyan: “I just feel there is a skill gap. Islam is in a very good place right now. I find it very hard to see him getting defeated.”