TLDR
- Arman Tsarukyan believes only prime Kamaru Usman could beat Islam Makhachev at welterweight
- Makhachev won his second consecutive welterweight fight against Ian Garry at UFC 330
- Tsarukyan noted Makhachev did not look as sharp as usual during the Garry fight
- Carlos Prates has called out Makhachev and promised to knock him out
- Usman has lost four of his last five fights and now competes at middleweight
Sources: mmasucka.com | fightersonly.com
Arman Tsarukyan has identified former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman as the only fighter who could have beaten Islam Makhachev at 170 pounds. The statement came during an interview with Ariel Helwani following Makhachev’s victory over Ian Garry at UFC 330.
Makhachev now holds the longest winning streak in UFC history after defeating Garry via unanimous decision. The Dagestani fighter has dominated the lightweight division and won two consecutive fights at welterweight.
“Who can beat Islam Makhachev at welterweight? Maybe only prime Kamaru Usman,” Tsarukyan said. “But still, right now, who can beat Islam? Maybe only prime Kamaru Usman, but he’s gone.”
Tsarukyan also suggested that Michael Morales could potentially cause problems for Makhachev. However, he stopped short of predicting that any current welterweight could defeat the champion.
😬💥 Arman Tsarukyan says that the only way he could beat prime Khabib is by landing a lucky punch and knocking him out.
🎥 Vpiska / YT pic.twitter.com/sSZaO1vIyN
— Full Mount MMA (@MMAFullMount) August 18, 2026
Makhachev Showed Weakness Against Garry
The Armenian-Russian fighter observed that Makhachev did not perform at his usual level during the UFC 330 bout. Tsarukyan pointed to a possible injury or Garry’s defensive skills as reasons for the champion’s struggles.
“This fight Islam he didn’t look good that he before,” Tsarukyan explained. “I think maybe he missed that high kick or he hurt his nose…something happened.”
Tsarukyan credited Garry’s defensive work along the cage for making the fight difficult for Makhachev. “He didn’t let him to be on the top, you know? He always stand up and is always, like, hard to carry,” he said.
Usman dominated the welterweight division during his prime reign as champion. He held the title for more than two years and successfully defended it six times during that period.
However, Usman’s performance has declined in recent years. The former champion has lost four of his last five fights and has moved up to middleweight, which Tsarukyan noted by saying Usman is now at “84 kg.”
Brazilian Fighter Issues Challenge
Carlos Prates has emerged as another potential challenger for Makhachev’s welterweight title. Following UFC 330, the Brazilian fighter called out the champion with a direct message.
“I will knock you out, bro. I will knock you out,” Prates said. “I will bring that belt to Brazil. The first welterweight champion from Brazil.”
Makhachev has shown interest in facing Prates over other contenders. When asked to choose between Michael Morales and Prates, the champion indicated he would prefer to fight the Brazilian.
The 34-year-old Makhachev has beaten nearly every top fighter in the lightweight division before moving up to welterweight. His victory over Garry marked his second win in the 170-pound division.
When Helwani asked Tsarukyan about other welterweights like Carlos Prates and Shavkat Rakhmonov, the lightweight contender acknowledged Morales as a possible challenge. “Morales, maybe, yes,” Tsarukyan said. “But still, I don’t know right now who can beat Islam.”
