Tsarukyan and Machado Garry shine in Qatar: UFC title contenders

Tsarukyan and Machado Garry: Contenders Shine in UFC

The UFC world may have found two number one contenders on Saturday, following the outstanding performances of 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 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, is aiming directly at the 155-pound champion, Ilia Topuria. The Armenian fighter stated that he would be willing to face Topuria in 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 defending the title. Machado Garry, from Ireland, has won 10 of his last 11 fights and also used the post-fight interview to request a title fight. He could jump to the top of the 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 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

The individual performances in the main and co-main events were impactful, although in very different ways. Tsarukyan took Hooker to the ground 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 dominated for more than six minutes of a nine-minute fight. Machado Garry’s confrontation, on the other hand, unfolded entirely on his feet. Muhammad missed all seven of his takedown 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 scored the fight in favor of Machado Garry, with scores of 30-27, 30-27, and 29-28.

There are many movements in the 155 and 170-pound divisions. Topuria, former featherweight champion, has expressed interest in moving up again to face Makhachev at welterweight. Makhachev stated 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.