UFC 311 Timeline: Islam Makhachev vs. Arman Tsarukyan 2

Islam Makhachev and Arman Tsarukyan fight for a second time in Saturday’s UFC 311 main event. Watch MMA Fighting’s UFC 311 Timeline video above to understand how this rematch came to be.

When Makhachev and Tsarukyan first fought in 2019, Makhachev had established himself as a contender to watch in the stacked lightweight division, while Tsarukyan was making his UFC debut at just 22 years old. Tsarukyan gave Makhachev everything he could handle that night in St. Petersburg, Russia, but it was Makhachev who went on to win a competitive decision.

Both fighters have thrived since that contest, with Makhachev going on to capture UFC lightweight gold and successfully defend it three times, and Tsarukyan going 9-1 since his loss to Makhachev. A second encounter was inevitable and now the rivals can settle the score in Los Angeles.

Will Makhachev retain once again or will Tsarukyan gain a measure of revenge and a UFC belt on Saturday?