Makhachev’s welterweight shift and the Tsarukyan rematch situation

Makhachev’s welterweight timeline

Makhachev won the welterweight title at UFC 322 on November 15, 2025, by defeating Jack Della Maddalena with a five-round unanimous decision. He vacated the lightweight title in May 2025 to pursue a new career path. He tells reporters he wants to fight in April, May, or June 2026 after Ramadan. He previously declined a January 2025 fight because he received notice in December and lacked enough time for a three-month camp. Makhachev, who secured the welterweight championship at UFC 322 through a five-round unanimous decision over Jack Della Maddalena, intends to return to the octagon in April, May, or June 2026 after he completes his training camp following Ramadan. He holds a 13-fight winning streak and previously stopped Dustin Poirier and Alexander Volkanovski to defend the 155-pound title. He also stopped Volkanovski at UFC 294 with a knockout and submitted Charles Oliveira and Dan Hooker during his climb to the top of the lightweight division. Khabib Nurmagomedov trained him. He also submitted Renato Moicano via D’Arce choke at 4:05 of the first round at UFC 311. The proposed rematch for the lightweight title at the Intuit Dome on January 18, 2025, never materialized as Makhachev fought Moicano instead. I find his refusal to fight in January makes sense given his preference for a full camp.

Tsarukyan’s fall from the top

Arman Tsarukyan lost to Mauricio Ruffy at UFC 331 this weekend in Los Angeles. Ruffy has 13 knockouts in 14 wins and trains at Freestyle MMA in Australia with Alexander Volkanefeated after leaving The Fighting Nerds in Brazil. Ruffy has knocked out many people in his career. Tsarukyan admitted that his loss to Mauricio Ruffy at UFC 331 might mean he never sees a title fight again. You probably know the lightweight title shifted after Makhachev left the division, but the rematch situation remains complicated. Tsarukyan holds the No. 2 ranking at lightweight and previously defeated Dan Hooker at UFC Qatar. He also secured a split decision win over Charles Oliveira at UFC 300 in April and a 64-second knockout win over Beneil Dariush in December. Tsarukyan, aged 28, has a professional record of 23-3. He has eight appearances under the RAF banner and three with Hype FC. He previously declined a June 2024 title shot at UFC 302 because he wanted a full eight-week training camp instead of a seven-week camp. He wanted to avoid the same risk he took during his short-notice debut in April 2023. I believe his decision to skip the UFC 302 fight was smart to avoid the risks he faced in his first meeting with Makhachev at UFC Fight Night 149.

The lightweight belt disconnect

Justin Gaethje holds the lightweight title. Gaethje plans to defend the belt against "Ahalkalakets" late in 2026 or early in 2027. This timeline leaves no room for a Makhachev rematch in the lightweight division. Makhachev holds no lightweight obligations because he moved to welterweight. Tsarukyan must wait for the result of the Gaethje versus Pimblett fight at UFC 324 on January 24, 2025, to see if his path clears. The winner of the Gaethje versus Pimblett bout earns the next shot at the champion. The proposed rematch for the lightweight title at the Intuit Dome on January 18, 2025, never materialized as Makhachev fought Renato Moicano instead. Makhachev submitted Moicano via D’Arce choke in the first round at that event. What will the UFC do with Makhachev next?