Makhachev’s Title Defense: Tsarukyan Withdraws
Islam Makhachev submitted Dustin Poirier in June 2024 and was expected to make another lightweight title defense in January 2025. Arman Tsarukyan was first slated to challenge, but withdrew before the event; Renato Moicano stepped in on short notice. Makhachev submitted Moicano in the first round, setting a new mark for consecutive defenses of the lightweight belt.
The January defense
The January date discussed in 2024 became a championship bout. After Tsarukyan pulled out, Moicano accepted the fight and challenged for the title. Makhachev finished him with a first-round submission, recording his fourth successful defense and moving ahead of Khabib Nurmagomedov’s three defenses of the lightweight championship.
A move to welterweight
Makhachev later vacated the lightweight title and moved up a division. He beat Jack Della Maddalena by unanimous decision in November 2025 to become a two-division champion, then defended the welterweight belt against Ian Machado Garry in August 2026. Makhachev won another unanimous decision in that bout. His next challenger has not been announced.
Makhachev left lightweight as its record-setting champion and built a second title reign at welterweight.
Tsarukyan’s withdrawal changed the opponent, not the title at stake. Moicano accepted the short-notice opportunity, and Makhachev finished him in the first round to pass Nurmagomedov’s defense total. Makhachev later left the division and won a belt at welterweight, creating a second championship chapter after the lightweight record.
