The rematch lived up to the hype and then some. Here is a full technical breakdown.
Striking stats (per UFC Stats):
- Makhachev landed 87 of 214 significant strikes (40.6%)
- Tsarukyan landed 112 of 243 significant strikes (46.1%)
- Tsarukyan won the striking exchanges in rounds 2, 3, and 4 by volume and accuracy
Grappling:
- Makhachev secured 4 takedowns on 9 attempts
- Tsarukyan stuffed 5 attempts and reversed position twice from bottom
- Control time: Makhachev 6:42, Tsarukyan 3:18
The key moment: Round 3, Tsarukyan caught Makhachev coming in with a left hook counter that visibly wobbled him. Makhachev shot immediately and secured top position for the rest of the round. Championship-level recovery.
Judging: The scorecards were tight. Two judges scored it 48-47 for Makhachev, one had it 48-47 Tsarukyan. This fight could have gone either way.
What it means for the division: Lightweight is the deepest it has been in a decade. Tsarukyan proved he belongs at the top. A trilogy is inevitable.
Sources:
- UFC Stats — official fight statistics
- ESPN MMA — post-fight analysis
- MMA Decisions — scorecard database
Tell me I am not the only one.
I had it 3-2 Tsarukyan honestly. Rounds 2, 3, and 4 were his on the feet. The grappling margins were slim.