LOS ANGELES – When it comes to a possible trilogy with Arman Tsarukyan, you can ignore Islam Makhachev.

Makhachev (26-1 MMA, 15-1 UFC) will put his lightweight title on the line in a rematch with Tsarukyan (22-3 MMA, 9-2 UFC) on Saturday at UFC 311 (pay-per-view, ESPNews/). set. Disney+, ESPN+) from Intuit Dome. A win would make Makhachev 2-0 against Tsarukyan after winning a unanimous decision in 2019.

Depending on how the fight develops, losing the belt could trigger a trilogy, but Makhachev is not thinking of anything like that in advance.

“Third fight, I hope not,” Makhachev said at UFC 311 media day on Wednesday. “It doesn’t make sense, three fights with the same guy. I think a new generation will come. We will have the most dangerous division. The Old Ones – I think this is one of the toughest weight classes, not just in the UFC, but in the entire sport. I need a new goal.

Makhachev’s desire for something new is understandable. In the current UFC lightweight rankings, Makhachev, who has a 14-fight winning streak, holds wins over Tsarukyan (No. 1), Charles Oliveira (2), Dustin Poirier (4) and Dan Hooker (6). It’s no wonder Makhachev has talked about wanting to move up to fight for the UFC welterweight title.

Win or lose, the time could come after UFC 311, but that isn’t necessarily the champion’s focus.

“I don’t want to look past Arman because Arman is a really tough opponent. “I just focus on him, you know?” Makhachev said. “Looking for the rankings and thinking about the next opponent is not my job. I’m just still training, still hungry. If we have something, just send me the contract. That’s been my opinion all my life: I never trust an opponent, never think that I’m going to fight this guy, I’m not going to fight this guy. Just send me the contract and you’re done.”