Makhachev and Tsarukyan are no strangers to one another. They have even met previously inside the UFC Octagon. Just under six years ago, the pair served as the co-main event on a

Tsarukyan’s reach is two inches longer, and he claims he’s prepared a “special trick” for the fight. However, Makhachev is UFC’s best pound-for-pound fighter for a reason, so we expect him to prevail and successfully defend his belt. However, Tsarukyan could have value at 3/1 odds.

Everything you need to know ahead of UFC 311 as the UFC's undisputed lightweight and bantamweight titles are on the line in Inglewood, California.

UFC 311 is headlined by a lightweight championship rematch between titleholder Islam Makhachev and Arman Tsarukyan. Look back at their first fight.

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+.

The first UFC pay-per-view card of 2025, UFC 311, appears to be fully booked. We look at the opening betting odds for the Makhachev vs. Tsarukyan 2 fight card.

Islam Makhachev and Arman Tsarukyan might be former foes, but they're not bitter rivals. The next UFC lightweight title fight is a rematch six years in the making, with current champion Makhachev defeating a 22-year-old Tsarukyan in his promotional debut back in 2019.