UFC 311: Makhachev vs. Tsarukyan 2: Fight Card, Predictions, & Odds

Reigning undisputed UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev defends his crown for the fourth time as he takes on the No. 1-ranked contender Arman Tsarukyan in the main event of UFC 311 inside the Intuit Dome in Inglewood on Jan. 18.

This marks the second meeting between Makhachev and Tsarukyan after the former defeated the latter in April 2019 via unanimous decision. Aside from this previous result, Makhachev’s dominance inside the octagon has made him the substantial betting favorite with -400 UFC odds.

On the other hand, despite his resurgence, which includes a four-fight win streak, Tsarukyan heads into the match as the betting underdog with +300 odds at BetMGM’s online sportsbook.

Islam Makhachev vs. Arman Tsarukyan 2 Odds

• Islam Makhachev: -400
• Arman Tsarukyan: +300

Islam Makhachev vs. Arman Tsarukyan 2: Prediction

I predict that Makhachev will win over Tsarukyan for the second time and reassert his mastery over him either with a TKO or submission finish because of his well-rounded skills and unmatched relentlessness inside the octagon.

Since their last meeting five years ago, Makhachev and Tsarukyan have significantly improved their skills and fought some of the best contenders in their weight class. However, I believe Makhachev’s skills are still at a higher level than Tsarukyan.

Makhachev uses his solid Sambo background to beat up opponents in grappling. Once he gets hold of them, he either submits them or stops them with vicious ground-and-pound strikes. 

But the Dagestani MMA superstar isn’t just a one-dimensional fighter who relies on his grappling skills because he significantly improved his striking skills. 

This was evident during his last outing against Dustin Poirier, where he traded strike-per-strike with “The Diamond” and won several stand-up battles.

On the other side of the ring, Tsarukyan is also a diverse athlete who has solid striking and grappling skills that can match Makhachev. 

What separates him from other fighters that Makhachev previously fought is his strong wrestling experience that could successfully defend and counter the defending champion’s takedown attempts.

Tsarukyan flexed this during his match with Charles Oliveira and rag-dolled him for most of the match. Aside from his savage wrestling, the Armenian dynamo also has unorthodox striking skills that make him more dangerous.

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Islam Makhachev Recent Fight Results

Makhachev made his promotional debut in May 2015 with a win over Leo Kuntz before sustaining an early setback in his career with a first-round TKO loss at the hands of Adriano Martins in his second UFC match. Since that loss, he went on to win his next 14 matches.

He dismantled every opponent the UFC pitted against him on his way to becoming the unquestioned king of the weight class. Makhachev also successfully fended off the challenges from Alexander Volkanovski (twice) and Poirier to extend his championship reign.

Arman Tsarukyan Recent Fight Results

Before signing with the UFC in 2019, Tsarukyan competed in several fight organizations and accumulated an impressive pro record of 14 wins and one loss. His promotional debut came against Makhachev, and although he had given him a hard fight, Tsarukyan still suffered the defeat.

After that loss to Makhachev, he won nine of his next 10 bouts under the promotion to climb his way up the divisional rankings. Tsarukyan’s most notable victories were against Davi Ramos, Matt Frevola, Beneil Dariush, and former UFC lightweight king Oliveira.

Islam Makhachev vs. Arman Tsarukyan 2: Tale of the Tape

Islam Makhachev vs. Arman Tsarukyan 2 Fight Card

• Islam Makhachev vs. Arman Tsarukyan, UFC lightweight title fight
• Merab Dvalishvili vs. Umar Nurmagomedov, UFC bantamweight title fight
• Jiří Procházka vs. Jamahal Hill, light heavyweight fight
• Beneil Dariush vs. Renato Moicano, lightweight fight
• Kevin Holland vs. Reinier de Ridder, middleweight fight
• Billy Elekana vs. Bogdan Guskov, light heavyweight fight
• Payton Talbott vs. Raoni Barcelos, bantamweight fight
• Jailton Almeida vs. Serghei Spivac, heavyweight fight
• Zachary Reese vs. Sedriques Dumas, middleweight fight
• Grant Dawson vs. Diego Ferreira, lightweight fight
• Karol Rosa vs. Ailín Pérez, women’s bantamweight fight
• Rinya Nakamura vs. Muin Gafurov, bantamweight fight
• Ricky Turcios vs. Benardo Sopaj, bantamweight fight
• Tagir Ulanbekov vs. Clayton Carpenter, flyweight fight