It made all the sense in the world for Islam Makhachev to fight at UFC 308. The Dagestani UFC lightweight champion can make history with his next title defense and the annual October Abu Dhabi card seemed like the perfect place for him to do so. The 32-year-old was rumored to fight official #1 title contender Arman Tsarukyan on the card, but a hand injury means the Makhachkala native will no longer be part of the October 26 card. However, ‘Ahalkalakets’ is not too concerned about potentially losing his position, and has agreed to face someone else, albeit for a title.

Islam Makhachev and his coach have confirmed he won’t be able to fight on UFC 308. The UFC has already found a replacement to headline the Abu Dhabi PPV with Ilia Topuria and Max Holloway taking the honors. Meanwhile, the reports suggest that Dana White and co. are looking to have Tsarukyan fight another top lightweight contender, but the fighter wants to compete for the 155-pound title. So the question is who will he face?

Former champion Charles Oliveira‘s name has been doing the rounds despite the Brazilian having lost to Tsarukyan at UFC 300. However, the Armenian is interested in other fighters having already fought ‘Do Bronx’ in his last fight. In an interview with ‘Submission Radio’, the Yerevan native dropped three names he would like to face instead of Makhachev for the interim title at UFC 308.

“If Islam can’t fight this year,  for sure I would like to fight for the interim title, doesn’t matter who is going to be in front of me… Dustin Poirier, he’s a solid fighter and he has a lot of experience. Yeah, [that] would be great- Dustin, [Justin] Gaethje, Michael Chandler as well. But my focus is on Islam,” Tsarukyan said.

All three names sound good on paper, but all three are coming off a loss. Poirier lost to Makhachev in the lightweight title bout at UFC 302, where the defending champion suffered a hand ligament tear. UFC 300 saw Max Holloway beat Justin Gaethje via KO and Michael Chandler last fought in 2022, losing to Poirier at UFC 281. Still, they hold reasonable pulling power and would be formidable opponents for Tsarukyan.

Poirier (30-9) is a former interim lightweight champion and has challenged for the title three times in the past. Gaethje (25-5) is also a former interim lightweight champion and a former UFC BMF Champion. Chandler, of course, has history with Tsarukyan, after he called him out for turning down a fight against Makhachev in June. Tsarukyan responded to the criticism on X, saying, “I don’t expect you to understand . We are not on the same level. I am here to be the champ. You are just waiting for a paycheck.” So UFC has a lot to work with if they decide to pick any of the fighters to face Tsarukyan in Abu Dhabi.

The last time UFC had an interim title in the lightweight division was in 2020. Notably, Justin Gaethje was the holder and lost the strap in a unification bout to Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 254. Poirier on the other hand, is eager to compete against Tsarukyan. Speaking to MMA Junkie on July 31, about an interim title fight against the Armenian he said, “Yeah for sure it interests me. I wonder what they’re going to do with that.”

Meanwhile, during a Q&A session on August 2, ahead of the UFC Abu Dhabi, Islam Makhachev shared an update on his injury, while pouring cold water over Tsarukyan’s desire to fight him.

The defending lightweight champion said, “It’s part of this sport. I have a small injury right now, I cut my hand ligament and we will see. The next 10 days, I have to wear this thing and the doctor will make a decision.” Makhachev then appeared keen on a fight with Max Holloway, while explaining why he won’t be interested in facing Tsarukyan.

“Because I already beat Arman. If UFC puts Tsarukyan]next, no problem, but it’s not an exciting match for me. I need some new name, new challenger. I already beat Arman. If Max wants, let’s do it,” he added. While this may not sound good for Tsarukyan, he has come a long way since his debut defeat and claimed he will prevail if he comes face to face with the champion again.

‘Ahalkalakets’ confident he’ll knock out Islam Makhachev when they fight

The first time Arman Tsarukyan fought Islam Makhachev was five years ago on UFC Fight Night on April 19. ‘Ahalkalakets’ was making his UFC debut, and Makhachev was still in his come-up. Even though the Dagestani won a unanimous decision over the then 22-year-old, their fight was a riveting one, taking the ‘Fight of the Night’ honors. However, a lot of water has passed under the bridge since then.

“I believe in myself, I’m going there to knock him [Makhachev] out and that’s it,” Tsarukyan declared when asked about a potential clash with the champion.

Makhachev, the reigning champ, has evolved greatly. In his arsenal, he has added lethal striking to go with his already championship-level wrestling. And the results are self-evident. After all, the Dagestani is the best lightweight MMA fighter in the entire world at the moment. He already equaled the record for the most successful consecutive title defenses in the division at 3 with his win over Poirier.

Tsarukyan too, has been on quite a journey, having matured a lot since then, coming into his own as a fighter since then. After his defeat to Makhachev, he won 5 fights in a row and has won 9 of his last 10 fights, with his only defeat coming via a close decision against Mateusz Gamrot in June 2022.

Like Makhachev, the Armenian is more than competent on the ground. But what makes him dangerous is the one-punch knockout power Tsarukyan holds in his fists. Not to mention the Yerevan resident is still only 27, in the absolute prime of his athletic career, and has the self-belief, even conceit, required to upset even Makhachev!

But for now, the official title contender will have to make do with another 155-pounder for another title. What are your thoughts on Tsarukyan’s prediction? Let us know in the comments below.