Arman Tsarukyan wants ‘at least 5’ lightweight title defenses to break Islam Makhachev’s UFC record

UFC lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan has stated he wants to make at least five title defenses if he wins the lightweight championship, aiming to surpass Islam Makhachev's UFC lightweight title defense record. Tsarukyan and Makhachev faced off at a UFC 311 press conference on January 16, 2025, at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California. The article, published September 1, 2026, highlights Tsarukyan's ambition to establish himself as a historically dominant lightweight champion.