Islam Makhachev once again proved why he is at the top of the Pound for Pound food chain. Originally set to face Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 311, Makhachev’s preparation took an unexpected turn when Tsarukyan withdrew due to a back injury just 24 hours before the fight. Stepping in on short notice, Renato Moicano made a brave move, but despite the change in opponent, Makhachev secured another dominant victory.

With Tsarukyan’s missed opportunity, Dana White made it clear that the Armenian will have to start from the drawing board and claw his way back to a title shot in the post-fight presser. However, former two-division champ Daniel Cormier believes that Tsarukyan deserves another shot. During his latest UFC 311 instant reaction video, DC shared his thoughts on why Tsarukyan should still be next in line for a title fight.

“I believe it still needs to be Tsarukyan because I believe Tsarukyan, even though it’s a rematch, and even though Charles is supposed to be next. I still feel like Tsarukyan’s size, his abilities, and his skill set—could present the biggest problems for Islam Makhachev. You know this guy, I mean, he has submitted the rest and also finished so many of the lightweight best,” Cormier stated.

DC emphasized that while Charles Oliveira is considered the next logical challenger, Tsarukyan’s unique attributes make him the more intriguing opponent for Makhachev. He even went on to call Makhachev the “finisher of the highest order,” highlighting some of his most iconic victories, including dominant finishes against Renato Moicano, Dustin Poirier, and Alexander Volkanovski. But the question remains: does another veteran share the same enthusiasm about this rematch that never materialized at UFC 311?

Chael Sonnen dives into Arman Tsarukyan’s rematch possibility for the gold

Arman Tsarukyan missed a golden opportunity to face Islam Makhachev at UFC 311 due to a back injury, a setback that now leaves him fighting to re-enter the title conversation. However, verbose analyst Chael Sonnen remains firm in his belief that the Armenian contender deserves to be next in line once he recovers.

Islam Makhachev, already cemented as the torchbearer of Khabib Nurmagomedov’s legacy, continues to dominate the lightweight division. His first-round D’Arce choke finish at UFC 311 not only showcased his brilliance but also marked his record-breaking fourth title defense.

So, who might challenge him next? Sonnen offered his perspective, saying, “Nobody can compete with Islam. We can take either Islam out of the damn weight class.” He went on to add, “I am just suggesting for you. I don’t know that going into this fight he was going to remain the number one contender. And coming out of the fight, Tsarukyan might be the right matchup.”

As Makhachev continues to reign supreme, the question remains: will Tsarukyan get his chance to challenge the lightweight king and potentially shake up the division? Share your thoughts in the comments below!