Why bet on the fight that’s worth the belt?

In the main fight of the night, Islam Makhachev defends his lightweight title against Armenian Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 311.

Islam Makhachev defends lightweight belt at UFC 311

Foto: Px Images / Alamy Stock Photo

The year 2025 is starting off in the best possible way for MMA lovers. This Saturday (18), starting at 8pm, in Inglewood, United States, attention will be focused on the lightweight division (up to 70.3 kg), at UFC 311. Current champion Islam Makhachev will defend his category belt against Armenian Arman Tsarukyan.

Last weekend, Brazilians Mackenzie Dern and Amanda Ribas had a great duel in the main fight of UFC Fight Night, which ended with Dern winning by submission.

This weekend’s duel marks the main fight of UFC 311. This will be the rematch between the two fighters, who are now meeting again after just over five years since their first clash.

Makhachev x Tsarukyan: who will win the fight?

But, after all, what can we expect from the rematch between Islam Makhachev and Arman Tsarukyan? The question that remains is whether the Russian will be able to keep the belt or whether the Armenian will emerge victorious, thus becoming champion for the first time.

To find out what to expect from the fight, we checked the odds at bet365, one of the best betting houses today. See below what the odds are with bet365 increased accumulators on the market To Win the Fight:

Who wins?	Odds na bet365*
Islam Makhachev	1.28
Arman Tsarukyan	3.75
	Go to bet365

*Odds are subject to change. Last updated on January 17, 2025 – 11:30 am.

According to bet365, Islam Makhachev is the big favorite to win the fight against Arman Tsarukyan and retain the lightweight beltfurther increasing his hegemony in the category and placing himself as one of the biggest names in UFC history.

Remember what the first confrontation was like

After four consecutive victories in the UFC, Islam Makhachev, then 27 years old, was already establishing himself as one of the main names among the organization’s lightweights. In April 2019, in Saint Petersburg, Russia, the fighter faced then-debutant Arman Tsarukyan, aged 22, in the co-main event of UFC Saint Petersburg.

With the typical wrestling game, which is practiced almost perfectly, Makhachev tried to take control of the fight, but faced a rival, who, despite having little preparation time, imposed many difficulties.

But after three rounds, Islam Makhachev was declared the winner by unanimous decision of the judges. With his good performance, despite the defeat, Arman Tsarukyan made a UFC debut that confirmed him as a good prospect in the organization.

Belt and title of best in the world

After the victory over Tsarukyan, Islam Makhachev won five other fights and qualified to compete for the vacant belt in the category against the Brazilian Charles Oliveira, in October 2022. With another impressive performance, the Russian finished “Do Bronxs” and became the UFC lightweight champion.

Since then, Makhachev has defended the belt on three occasions. In the first, he beat Igor Volkanovski by unanimous decision. In the rematch, another victory, this time by knockout. Finally, the Russian faced Dustin Poirier, in June 2024, and won by submission.

With his impressive sequence of victories and title defenses, Islam Makhachev reached 26 victories and one defeat in his professional career. Furthermore, the Russian reached the highest position in the UFC men’s weight-for-pound ranking, ahead of names like Jon Jones and Alex Poatan.

Arman Tsarukyan has had ten fights since losing to Makhachev. There were nine victories and only one defeat. The last time he was in the octagon was at UFC 300, in April last year, when he beat Charles “Do Bronxs” by split decision.

Another belt up for grabs

UFC 311 will feature another title fight. Current bantamweight champion, Georgian Merab Dvalishvili faces Russian Umar Nurmagomedov. Despite being the challenger, Nurmagomedov is considered the favorite to win the fight. See what the increased accumulators on the bet365 website say about who wins the fight between Merab Dvalishvili x Umar Nurmagomedov: