Islam Makhachev has successfully defended his UFC Lightweight title belt in California after submitting Renato Moicano in one of the main cards of UFC 311 in California.
Makhachev was originally billed to fight Arman Tsarukyan in the octagon but the latter withdrew from the title bout in the 11th hour due to ‘significant back pain’.
35-year-old Moicano, who was on one of the undercards of UFC 311, was drafted at short notice to the main card to face the champion who has been undefeated in nearly 10 years.
Makhachev sets new record at UFC 311!
— SportsDey💚🤍 (@SportsDey247) January 19, 2025
Islam Makhachev wasted no time in beating Renato Moicano by submission in round one to retain his lightweight title in California.
The win makes the Russian the first to defend their title four successive times. pic.twitter.com/OF5rwbcdqO
It took less than a minute of round one for the 33-year-old Russian to get his Brazilian opponent in a lock, before forcing the submission to get a 15th consecutive win and set a record for most successive title defences.
Makhachev has now defended the title four straight times, leaving UFC President, Dana White to admit afterwards that Makhachev is his number one pound-for-pound fighter.