In April, at UFC 300, Arman Tsarukyan scored a hard-fought victory over Charles Oliveira and officially became the number one in the lightweight division and, consequently, the main contender for a title fight. He was immediately offered a fight with Islam Makhachev at UFC 302, but Arman declined, citing a desire to better prepare and not start camp seven weeks before the most important challenge of his career.
Makhachev finally fought Dustin Poirier, successfully defended the title with a spectacular choke, updated several UFC records and faced the logical question: what to do next? Islam has long wanted to try to become a double champion, but there is still work to be done in the lightweight division. The only contender and, in fact, Makhachev’s only rival now is Tsarukyan.
Makhachev already has three title defenses: what’s next?
Rematch with Tsarukyan or fight for the double champion title. Who should Makhachev fight next?
However, Arman independently caused himself trouble in the form of a disqualification. At UFC 300, he got into a fight with a fan, and a couple of months later, the pack learned that Tsarukyan had been disqualified for nine months. Yes, if certain conditions are met, the suspension can be shortened by three months, and accordingly, the fighter could, in theory, become Makhachev’s opponent at the UFC 308 tournament in Abu Dhabi at the end of October.
However, it seems that the UFC is ready to play it safe and has found an opponent for Islam. And Michael Chandler, who himself said about this, could suddenly become one: “I was offered Makhachev in October. But if McGregor and his little finger are ready for September, let’s do it in The Circle. The biggest sporting event in the history of sport!
And then he addressed Islam separately: “I’ve been chasing your ass for eight years. Good American wrestling beats Dagestani sambo any day of the week. They don’t put me on open mats, they don’t put me in a cage. They’re not going to transfer me, period.”
Michael Chandler
Photo: Christian Petersen/Getty Images
So, it turns out that for the first time in almost two years, Chandler is open to the option of fighting an opponent not named Conor McGregor. Why is the option with Makhachev even real? It is obvious that Islam needs an opponent for the fall – he plans to make his next (possibly last) defense of his lightweight title. If it happens that Tsarukyan is unable to perform in the fall, then there are simply no contenders. The top 5 includes Poirier, Charles Oliveira and Justin Gaethje. Everyone is coming off defeats, and two of them were lost to Islam. There is Mateusz Gamrot, but no one will give the Pole a title shot unless some force majeure occurs.
That leaves Chandler. This is still a big name, which will increase Makhachev’s popularity. Another point is that time is passing, Michael has not fought for a long time and the UFC does not want to lose such an asset. Also, perhaps the promotion takes it for granted that Conor will not return, and it is time for Chandler to return to the octagon with another opponent.
The problem is that if this fight takes place and Makhachev defeats Chandler, which in theory should happen, then the champion’s achievements will be belittled and the conversations will begin in the spirit of “who did he beat?”, “weak opposition.” Although, in essence, Islam simply beats those who are given to him and aims for a record streak in history. If the opponent is the number six in the division, then the Russian will be ready to face him.
Makhachev already responded effectively to Chandler: “You can’t be trusted, my friend. One tweet from your teacher and you’ll run away. A champion needs a real opponent.”
Of course, the main contender remains Tsarukyan. To be fair, he should be Makhachev’s next opponent, because he did enough to get that much-coveted revenge. But the UFC is already showing that they won’t focus on the Arman option and are ready to put another opponent in front of the champion. Who knows, maybe in a few months Tsarukyan will regret not taking the fight at UFC 302.
