UFC 311: Islam Makhachev vs. Arman Tsarukyan Prediction for Sunday, 01/19/25

The Main Event at UFC 311 will see Islam Makhachev take on Arman Tsarukyan. This will be a fight in the UFC Lightweight division and for the UFC Lightweight title. Makhachev enters this fight with an MMA record of 26-1 and 15-1 in the UFC. He is averaging 2.65 significant strikes per minute and has a striking accuracy of 59%. Makhachev absorbs 1.54 strikes and has a striking defense of 61%. His grappling has also been elite, averaging 3.19 takedowns every 15 minutes and 1.1 submission attempts during the same period. Makhachev has a takedown accuracy of 53% and a takedown defense of 90%.

Tsaurkyan enters this fight with an MMA record of 22-3 and 9-2 in the UFC. He is averaging 3.79 significant strikes per minute and has a striking accuracy of 48%. Tsaurkyan absorbs 1.84 strikes and has a striking defense of 53%. His grappling is just as strong, averaging 3.25 takedowns every 15 minutes. He has a takedown accuracy of 37% and a takedown defense of 75%.

Makhachev is the significant favorite in this fight, therefore we will be looking at him to win this fight by any finish. Makhachev has won 7 of his last 8 UFC fights by finish, therefore backing him to do the same in this title fight will be our best bet.