Tsarukyan and Machado Garry Shine in Qatar: They Seek UFC Titles

The UFC could have defined two number one contenders this Saturday, with outstanding performances by 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 (24-5). Tsarukyan, with five consecutive victories, has his sights set on the 155-pound champion, Ilia Topuria, and stated that he would face him in January if the UFC offers him a contract.

We have to face it; there’s 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 hasn’t fought since he won the vacant title by knocking out Charles Oliveira in June. His other most likely options for a first title defense include Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett. 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. Machado Garry could place himself at the top of a long list of potential opponents 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 try 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

The individual performances in the main and co-main events were impressive, although in very different ways. Tsarukyan took Hooker down in the first and second rounds, and easily transitioned to an arm-triangle choke at 3:44. It was a very uneven fight in which Tsarukyan established control for more than six minutes of a nine-minute fight. The Machado Garry matchup, meanwhile, unfolded entirely on the feet. Muhammad missed all seven of his takedown attempts and was visibly outmatched in the striking exchanges. Machado Garry punished him with jabs and right hands to the head, as well as a front kick to the body and the lead leg. All three judges scored the three-round bout in favor of Machado Garry, with scores of 30-27, 30-27, and 29-28.

There are many movements at 155 and 170 pounds. Topuria, a former featherweight champion, has expressed interest in moving up again to face Makhachev at welterweight. Makhachev stated last weekend that he was more interested in a title defense against former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman, but that was before Machado Garry’s impressive performance on Saturday.