Islam Makhachev defends his UFC lightweight title against Arman Tsarkuyan in the main event of UFC 311 on January 18.
The current record for lightweight title defenses is a four-way tie between Makhachev, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Benson Henderson, and BJ Penn, all of whom have three defenses. With a victory over Tsarukyan, Makhachev will have the unique opportunity to set a new record for four defenses.
The pressure is on Makhachev, who could soon find that every lightweight title fight is a legacy fight, setting a new record on every defense. Makhachev also has the prospect of double-championship fights with Ilia Topuria or the winner of Belal Muhammad vs. Shavkat Rakhmonov, with Makhachev’s coach backing him to dethrone Dricus Du Plessis at middleweight.
Islam Makhachev indifferent to breaking Khabib Nurmagomedov’s record at UFC 311
Fans might expect mixed emotions from the Makhachev camp, seeing as he is so close to breaking the record of their friend and mentor, Nurmagomedov. However, in a recent interview with Shakeil Mahjouri, Makhachev admitted the records mean “nothing.”
“Khabib’s here to help us to be better than him, to push us, to help us,” Makhachev said. “Records, all this stuff it’s nothing for me. I just want to keep my belt.”
Islam Makhachev can break UFC records held by Jon Jones and Anderson Silva
Since Makhachev was knocked out by Adriano Martins in 2015, he has put together a 14-fight UFC winning streak. The current record for the longest UFC winning streak is held by Anderson Silva at 16, or Jon Jones with 20 if you discount his No-Contest to Daniel Cormier, or even 23 without ‘Bones” disqualification to Matt Hamill.
At 33, Makhachev has just entered his athletic prime, and he’ll have ample opportunity to notch four or five more wins inside the Octagon. He’d also be able to break the infamous statistic of fighters aged 35 or older being winless in title fights at lightweight, if he doesn’t move to welterweight or middleweight first.