3 Best Opponents for Islam Makhachev After UFC 302

Islam Makhachev might just be the best fighter in the world right now.

The Russian was back in action in the main event of Saturday's UFC 302 card at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey defending his lightweight belt against long-time contender Dustin Poirier.

While the American ended up giving Makhachev a tougher fight than most people expected, the champion finished things off with a D'arce choke in Round 5.

It was his eighth finish in nine fights and 14th win in a row, a sequence that also includes victories over legends such as Alexander Volkanovski and Charles Oliveira.

There is still some room for argument that heavyweight champ Jon Jones remains the sport's pound-for-pound king, but there's just as strong an argument for Makhachev at this point.

The lightweight champ can strengthen his argument even more in his next fight, and he definitely has options in terms of opponents, both in the lightweight division and one division up at welterweight.

Here are three fights we think make sense for Makhachev when he's ready to get back into the Octagon.

If the UFC matchmakers are going by the lightweight rankings, Arman Tsarukyan will get the next crack at Makhachev and the title.

The Armenian was last in action at UFC 300 in April, taking on former champ Charles Oliveira. It was a close fight, but it ultimately went to the rising 27-year-old, who improved his streak to four straight in the process.

After his decision win over Oliveira, Tsarukyan was offered the chance to fight Makhachev at UFC 302. However, having just come out of a taxing, three-round fight, he declined, and the opportunity went to Poirier instead.

Now that Makhachev has dealt with Poirier, it only makes sense to offer Tsarukyan a title shot again. He's clearly the most deserving contender in the division, and he has some history with the champ.

The pair faced each other in April 2019. Makhachev won by decision, but it was a competitive fight and a short-notice Octagon debut for Tsarukyan.

There's no reason to assume a rematch between them would be any less competitive. Both have improved drastically over the past five years, and Tsarukyan would likely fare even better with the benefit of a full camp.

If Makhachev gets his way, his next fight will be up at welterweight, with a new title on the line.

Speaking to commentator Joe Rogan after his UFC 302 win over Poirier, the lightweight champ again set his sights on the title that is currently the property of Leon Edwards.

It would be a shame for Makhachev to deprive Tsarukyan of his deserved lightweight title shot, but the champ, arguably, deserves the opportunity to go belt hunting at 170 pounds.

He is on one of the best win streaks in the sport, has defended the lightweight strap three times and is one of the biggest guys in the division. Why not let him move up to challenge Edwards?

It's a great matchup on paper. The Englishman, a striker at his roots, would need to be careful of Makhachev's takedowns, but he has shown great defensive wrestling in fights with Kamaru Usman and Colby Covington.

And with an added physical advantage, he might be able to shut down that part of the lightweight champ's game. If Poirier can do it, he can too.

On the feet, it's seemingly anyone's fight. Edwards, 32, has proved he can end things in a blink and Makhachev is increasingly dangerous as a striker himself.

Of course, Edwards will first need to get through his title defense on July 27 opposite Belal Muhammad, who is a close friend of Makhachev.

If Muhammad wins that one, we can forget about Makhachev fighting for the belt anytime soon.

If Tsarukyan is unavailable and the UFC decides it's not the right time for Makhachev to move up to welterweight, he might be booked for a fight with former featherweight champ Max Holloway.

The 32-year-old is currently riding one of the most iconic performances in MMA history: A last-second, one-punch knockout against Justin Gaethje in a BMF title fight at UFC 300 in April.

After that stunning victory, which occurred at lightweight, he expressed interest in returning to featherweight to take on new champion Ilia Topuria. That's a great fight, and an opportunity Holloway deserves more than anyone, but he also expressed interest in facing Makhachev, and we wouldn't be mad at that either.

With a 1-1 lightweight record, Holloway probably isn't as deserving of the opportunity as Tsarukyan, but he is one of the greatest featherweights on Earth. And after his jaw-dropping UFC 300 win, he could be given a heavyweight title shot without much protest from fans.

He would be an underdog against the lightweight champion, but he was supposed to lose to Gaethje too, and we all know how that one went.