Tsarukyan and Machado Garry SHINE in Qatar: UFC Title Contenders

Tsarukyan and Machado Garry solidify themselves as title contenders in the UFC

Last Saturday, the UFC may have defined two number one contenders in the lightweight and welterweight categories, thanks to the outstanding performances of Arman Tsarukyan and Ian Machado Garry. Tsarukyan (23-3) submitted Dan Hooker in the second round of the main event of UFC Fight Night held at the ABHA Arena in Doha, Qatar. Meanwhile, in the co-main event, Machado Garry (17-1) won by unanimous decision against Belal Muhammad. Tsarukyan, with a streak of five consecutive victories, has his sights set on the lightweight champion, Ilia Topuria. The Armenian fighter has expressed his desire to face Topuria as early as January, if the UFC offers him a contract.

“We have to face each other; 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,” declared Tsarukyan about Topuria.

Arman Tsarukyan

Topuria, who won the title by 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 the opportunity in the post-fight interview to request 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 try to take me down. I am the best in the world. You have a duty to defend against the best in the world,” stated Machado Garry.

Ian Machado Garry

The individual performances in the main and co-main events were impressive, although in very different ways. Tsarukyan took Hooker to the ground in the first and second rounds, finishing the fight with an arm-triangle choke at 3:44. It was a very uneven match, where Tsarukyan dominated for more than six minutes of the nine that the fight lasted. The Machado Garry fight, on the other hand, was fought entirely on the feet. Muhammad did not manage any takedowns out of seven attempts and was outstruck 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 awarded the victory to Machado Garry with scorecards of 30-27, 30-27, and 29-28.

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