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via Imago

via Imago

The UFC lightweight division has been shaken up at UFC 300! Arman Tsarukyan, the no. 4 ranked fighter in the division took on former champion, Charles Oliveira at the historic event. The bout was significant as it would have title implications for the winner and with a split decision victory, Tsarukyan may have just got an appointment against the champion, Islam Makhachev!

While Oliveira, who held the number 1 contender spot before the match, came into the fight to get another shot at Makhachev who had defeated him via submission at UFC 280. But his valiant efforts came up short against the surging Tsarukyan who also received an interesting message from the lightweight champion who was keeping a close eye on this critical matchup in the 155 lbs weight class.

Islam Makhachev sends a chilling reminder to Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 300

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Arman Tsarukyan came into the bout with an intensity that spilled over into his walkout as he got into an altercation with the fans.  Footage from the incident shared on social media also highlighted that Tsarukyan threw a punch at one of the fans in the section close to the walkout gallery but it’s unclear as to what prompted the heated reaction from the generally calm and composed fighter

Nevertheless, he maintained his focus as he managed to survive multiple submission attempts by Oliveira and even attempted an axe kick in the 2 round. While ‘Do Bronx’ showcased his impressive BJJ skills, Tsarukyan’s top control and wrestling were too much for him to handle on the night as he found himself cut open at the end of the 2 round with some heavy ground and pound.

It’s also interesting to note that during the last moments of the final round of the fight, Oliveira had another submission seemingly locked in but Tsarukyan’s defense held up and he was able to survive to hear the decision that proclaimed him the new number 1 contender in the division! And it appears that Islam Makhachev was paying attention to the fight as he posted on X, “Be ready…See you soon boy”

There is already history between the two as Tsarukyan had previously faced Makhachev in 2019 in his UFC debut. While he lost the fight via a unanimous decision, Tsarukyan impressed the fans and experts by testing Makhachev throughout the duration of the bout. And with Tsarukyan now solidified as the division’s top contender, MMA enthusiasts worldwide eagerly anticipate a rematch that promises to be nothing short of electrifying.

And as the dust settles from this fight at UFC 300, all eyes turn toward the impending clash between Tsarukyan and Makhachev, a showdown sure to captivate fans and shape the future of the UFC lightweight division. However, according to a UFC veteran, there’s a name that deserves to be in the mix for the conversation on who gets to fight for the title next!

 

‘The Diamond’ finds himself in a unique situation after UFC 300

Dustin Poirier’s path to a lightweight title shot might not follow traditional logic, but momentum and UFC veteran, Matt Brown are on his side. At UFC 299, Poirier made a statement when he knocked out Benoit Saint-Denis and pushed for a fight against Islam Makhachev. In a post made on X, he had stated, “I want that belt @AliAbdelaziz00 @danawhite @MAKHACHEVMMA”

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And according to Matt Brown, Poirier’s track record and undeniable skill make it hard for him to make a case against ‘The Diamond’ getting a shot at the belt. On a recent episode of ‘The Fighter vs The Writer’ he stated, “You can’t complain any time Dustin Poirier gets a title shot, he’s the man. He deserves anything they give him.” Brown further went on to emphasize Poirier’s reputation as a top-tier fighter deserving of any opportunity that comes his way.

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In conclusion, as speculation swirls and fans await the next move in the lightweight division, one thing is clear: both Tsarukyan and Poirier present compelling cases for a title shot. Whether it’s Tsarukyan’s electrifying performance at UFC 300 or Poirier’s undeniable skill and popularity, the division is primed for an exciting future.

As the UFC navigates the landscape of contenders, fans can only wait in anticipation for the next chapter in the lightweight saga!