UFC 311 at the colossal Intuit Dome had more readings than expected despite the watered-down (not because of the winner, but because of the change of fight) main event for the lightweight belt of the best mixed martial arts league on the planet. Islam Makhachev (27-1) defeated Renato Moicano (20-6-1) in the first round, who entered as a last-minute replacement for the injured Arman Tsarukyan (22-3). He managed to submit after being touched in the early exchanges and renewed his championship crown. He will remain No. 1 in the UFC and there are a number of new contenders to challenge him.
“I [Makhachev] can finish you if I want. Also, if I want, I can knock you out.
Ilia Topuria
The one who is most insistent in his statements and actions is Ilia Topuria (16-0). The featherweight champion wants to move up to lightweight and the fight against Makhachev would be a brutal target. “I can finish you if I want to. Also, if I want, I can knock you out,” said the Spaniard on social media. He was attentive to what result arrived in case he can apply. Although the mess to be the next opponent of the Russian is total.
Charles Oliveira (35-10, 1 NC) was supposed to be next after beating Chandler (23-9) in New York. But Tsarukyan, who had the turn, did not fight and was at the gates. However, he seems to be ruled out. The UFC will not give the Armenian another chance so easily. “He must fight again to get there,” said Dana White, its president. And there is another fight with a view to fighting for the belt: the Gaethje (25-5) – Hooker (24-12) of UFC 313 in Las Vegas (March 8).
The case of Topuria
In the case of Topuria, the situation seems to lead to another featherweight defense with Volkanovski (26-4) as the opponent and Miami in the ‘pole’ position to be the destination. There is more, as Makhachev’s camp points to another future for the UFC’s number one
“The UFC has plans for Islam [Makhachev] that don’t include Oliveira, Arman [Tsarukyan] or Ilia [Topuria],” said his representative, Ali Abdelaziz. He is not just anyone, as he works closely with Dana White and his number two, Hunter Campbell, to form the best cards in which those represented by Abdelaziz usually occupy many spots
It is an unpredictable sport and you never know what might happen
Ali Abdelaziz
Makhachev’s path, then, seems to be linked to his goal of moving up to welterweight (170 pounds). The Russian is a big fighter and it should not be an obstacle. There he would have to battle for a place between the two contenders for the belt, Belal Muhammad (24-3) (current champion) and Shavkat Rakhmonov (19-0), next in line. However, Abdelaziz himself does not completely close the door. “It’s an unpredictable sport and you don’t know what can happen,” he concludes.