Title: Islam Makhachev Set to Rule UFC Lightweight Division by 2025, Bookmakers Favor Him
UFC lightweight kingpin Islam Makhachev is set to protect his title in the main event of tonight's UFC 311 showdown. According to bookmakers, Makhachev will still be wielding the UFC title come 2025's end.
Makhachev's Commanding Reign
Having joined the UFC in May 2015, Makhachev has carved out an impressive 13-match winning streak in the promotion's lightweight division, placing him atop the record books. With a respectable 26-1 overall record and a stellar 15-1 in the UFC, Makhachev's current streak spans an impressive 14 victories.
One of those triumphs came in February 2022 when Makhachev dispatched Bobby Green in a spectacular TKO at a 160-pound catchweight.
Makhachev's sole professional loss came in his second UFC outing when Adriano Martins delivered a shocking first-round knockout in October 2015 at UFC 192. Makhachev has been invincible since then.
Makhachev also holds the UFC lightweight record for significant striking accuracy, registering an impressive 60.3% success rate.
Submission Victory at UFC 302
In June, on the undercard of UFC 302, Makhachev defended his title in style – subduing Dustin Poirier within the contest's stipulated rounds.
UFC 311 Title Contest History
Makhachev tasted title contest water for the first time in October 2022, when he clashed with Charles Oliveira at UFC 280. On that night, the vacant 155-pound UFC crown was up for grabs, and with Abu Dhabi as the backdrop, Makhachev secured the belt with a second-round submission.
In his second title defense, Makhachev went toe-to-toe with UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski, eventually emergimg victorious in a grueling five-round slugfest in Perth, Australia. Makhachev's triumph was sealed by a unanimous decision.
Makhachev and Volkanovski locked horns once more at UFC 294. Makhachev delivered a decisive blow, knocking out Volkanovski at 3:06 of the first round. This was Volkanovski's first KO loss as a UFC contender.
Makhachev's most recent title defense came against Poirier.
UFC 311: Makhachev Set to Create History
At UFC 311, Makhachev has the golden opportunity to claim sole ownership of the all-time UFC lightweight title fight victories record. A win over Arman Tsarukyan will add one more UFC lightweight title fight success to his tally, surpassing the three victories shared by Khabib Nurmagomedov, Benson Henderson, and BJ Penn at the top of the table.
Makhachev triumphed over Tsarukyan in 2019 via unanimous decision.
Makhachev will have Khabib Nurmagomedov in his corner during UFC 311, acting as his coach.
UFC 311 Betting Odds and Fights
Islam Makhachev: -175
Arman Tsarukyan: +400
Charles Oliveira: +600
Ilia Topuria: +800
Max Holloway: +1000
Renato Moicano: +1000
Dan Hooker: +1200
Dustin Poirier: +1600
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings)
UFC 311 Fight Card
Main Event:
- Islam Makhachev vs. Arman Tsarukyan
Prelims:
- Merab Dvalishvili vs. Umar Nurmagomedov
- Jiří Procházka vs. Jamahal Hill
- Beneil Dariush vs. Renato Moicano
- Kevin Holland vs. Reinier de Ridder
Early Prelims:
- Billy Elekana vs. Bogdan Guskov
- Payton Talbott vs. Raoni Barcelos
- Jailton Almeida vs. Serghei Spivac
- Zach Reese vs. Sedriques Dumas
Early Early Prelims:
- Grant Dawson vs. Diego Ferreira
- Karol Rosa vs. Ailín Pérez
- Rinya Nakamura vs. Muin Gafurov
- Ricky Turcios vs. Benardo Sopaj
- Tagir Ulanbekov vs. Clayton Carpenter
UFC 311 Date, Location, and Time
Date: Saturday, January 18, 2025
Location: Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California
Time: Early prelims – 6:00 p.m. ET; Prelims – 8:00 p.m. ET; PPV Card – 10:00 p.m. ET (All times ET)
Stream UFC 311 on ESPN+ PPV. Stay tuned for more events from UFC 311, along with results, reactions, and insightful recaps. UFC 311 paves the way for additional coverage as the first pay-per-view event on the 2025 UFC schedule.
UFC 2025 is anticipated to see Makhachev continuing his reign as lightweight champion, as bookmakers predict he will still hold the title at the end of 2025. If you're looking for UFC 311 betting picks, Makhachev is currently favored against Arman Tsarukyan with odds of -175. Makhachev, who has a history with Tsarukyan, previously defeated him in 2019 via unanimous decision.
