UFC 311’s highly anticipated main event promises a thrilling clash for the lightweight title. The reigning champion, Islam Makhachev, defends his belt against top contender Arman Tsarukyan.
Although Makhachev enters as a heavy favorite in the MMA odds, the outcome of this fight is far from a foregone conclusion. This matchup presents a fascinating opportunity for UFC betting enthusiasts, especially considering Tsarukyan’s ability to challenge Makhachev in their previous encounters.
For all those who want to see the odds for this event, and the other ones at the UFC 311, just follow this link. There are plenty more UFC betting markets and you need to explore and find something suitable for your needs.
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Makhachev vs. Tsarukyan Preview
Islam Makhachev enters UFC 311 with an impressive 26-1 record, boasting an incredible 14-fight win streak. His recent victories have solidified his status as one of the most dominant fighters in the division. Makhachev has defeated elite competition, including Charles Oliveira, Alexander Volkanovski twice, and Dustin Poirier by submission in June 2024.
Islam’s relentless pressure, superior wrestling, and flawless endurance make him a standout champion in the UFC lightweight division. Having been trained under Khabib Nurmagomedov’s tutelage, Makhachev’s grappling and ground game are second to none. They are all students of the late Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, whose legacy includes fantastic fighters.
Makhachev’s unyielding power and technical precision have made him a nightmare for opponents, and many believe he could eventually attack the higher division. Of course, he needs to close the upcoming event successfully.
The challenger, Arman Tsarukyan, is no stranger to tough fights. The 27-year-old Armenian fighter has demonstrated incredible tenacity and skill throughout his UFC career.
His 19-3 record speaks to his ability to compete at the highest level, and one of his two defeats in the UFC came at the hands of Islam Makhachev back in 2019. That fight, which went the full five rounds, highlighted Tsarukyan’s ability to push Makhachev to his limits. It was one of the closest bouts of Makhachev’s career, and many UFC analysts consider Tsarukyan, a dangerous challenger who has only improved since their first meeting.
While Makhachev is known for his wrestling dominance, Tsarukyan’s striking and knockout power set him apart. He possesses explosive power in his hands, making him a serious threat to finish the fight. Tsarukyan’s pace and cardio are also remarkable, ensuring that he can keep up with Makhachev’s relentless pace.
Makhachev vs. Tsarukyan Head to Head
The two faced one another in 2019. It was Tsarukyan’s UFC debut, and we have to say that he didn’t disappoint. Islam won via decision, but we saw three rounds of excellent battle. May we add that at the time, Makhachev was already a respected name in the organization.
Makhachev vs. Tsarukyan Prediction
As the odds suggest, Islam Makhachev is the favorite going into UFC 311, but this fight is far from one-sided. Given their previous encounter and Tsarukyan’s growth as a fighter, this bout has the potential to be closely contested and thrilling.
Makhachev’s superior wrestling and endurance may allow him to edge out Tsarukyan over the course of 25 minutes, but don’t count Tsarukyan out—his striking power and cardio could create serious problems for the champion.
Still, we will go with Islam winning via decision. Our opinion is that he won’t crack Tsarukyan and defeat him via stoppage because of the Armenian’s overall shape and endurance. However, when looking at the overall situation, Makhachev has more experience and also more weapons to defeat the challenger. The odds here are satisfying.
