Tsarukyan and Machado Garry SHINE in Qatar: They Aim for UFC Titles

Tsarukyan and Machado Garry Position Themselves as UFC Contenders

The UFC world may have found two number one contenders on Saturday, with standout performances from Arman Tsarukyan at lightweight and Ian Machado Garry at welterweight. Tsarukyan (23-3) submitted Dan Hooker in the second round in the main event of UFC Fight Night held at the ABHA Arena in Doha, Qatar. In the co-main event, Machado Garry (17-1) won by unanimous decision against former champion Belal Muhammad. Tsarukyan, with five consecutive victories, has his sights set on the 155-pound champion, Ilia Topuria. The fighter has expressed his desire to face Topuria as early as January if the UFC offers him a 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, after winning 10 of his last 11 fights, also took advantage of his post-fight interview to call for a title fight. Machado Garry could climb the ranks to face 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 performances in the main and co-main events were noteworthy, albeit in very different ways. Tsarukyan dominated Hooker, securing control for over six minutes of a nine-minute fight. Machado Garry, for his part, kept the fight standing, outstriking Muhammad with jabs, right hands, and front kicks. The three judges scored the fight in favor of Machado Garry with results of 30-27, 30-27 and 29-28.

The situation in the 155 and 170-pound divisions remains dynamic. Topuria, former featherweight champion, has expressed interest in moving up again to face Makhachev at welterweight. Makhachev, for his part, had expressed his interest in defending the title against former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman, but this was before Machado Garry’s impressive performance on Saturday.