Tsarukyan and Machado Garry SHINE in Qatar: They Seek UFC Titles!

Tsarukyan and Machado Garry: Contenders Shine in UFC

The UFC world could have defined two number one contenders this weekend, with standout performances from Arman Tsarukyan in lightweight and Ian Machado Garry in welterweight. Tsarukyan (23-3) submitted Dan Hooker in the second round of the main event of UFC Fight Night at the ABHA Arena in Doha, Qatar. In the co-main event, Machado Garry (17-1) won by unanimous decision against Belal Muhammad. Tsarukyan has accumulated five consecutive victories and has his sights set on the 155-pound champion, Ilia Topuria. The Armenian fighter expressed his desire to face Topuria as early as January if the UFC offers him the contract.

We have to face it; there is only one number one contender and it’s Arman Tsarukyan. Don’t make an easy fight. I’m ready, at the end of January. Send me the contract, and I’ll be there.

Arman Tsarukyan

Topuria, who won the belt after knocking out Charles Oliveira in June, could have Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett as options for his first title defense. Machado Garry, from Ireland, has won 10 of his last 11 fights and also took advantage of his post-fight interview to request a title fight. He could position himself as a strong contender for the newly crowned champion Islam Makhachev.

I just beat the number one contender. Nobody else is ranked above him. Islam, Belal couldn’t take me down, so he tries to take me down. I am the best in the world. You have a duty to defend yourself against the best in the world.

Ian Machado Garry

Individual performance in the main and co-main events was notable, albeit in very different ways. Tsarukyan dominated Hooker, establishing control for more than six minutes of a nine-minute fight. Machado Garry’s fight, on the other hand, was fought entirely on the feet. Muhammad did not manage any takedown attempts and was outstruck in the exchange of blows. Machado Garry punished him with jabs and right hands to the head, as well as front kicks to the body and front leg. All three judges scored the fight in favor of Machado Garry, with scorecards of 30-27, 30-27, and 29-28.

There are many movements in the 155 and 170-pound divisions. Topuria, a former featherweight champion, has expressed interest in moving up again to face Makhachev at welterweight. Makhachev stated that his main interest was to defend the title against former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman, but this was before Machado Garry’s impressive performance.