Islam Makhachev set a new record and successfully defended his lightweight title at UFC 311 on Saturday by knocking out Renato Moicano in a round in California.
Makhachev needed 4 minutes and 5 seconds to notch his 15th straight win and has now defended his belt four times in a row for the first time in UFC history.
Makhachev was generous in his victory and reiterated his desire to fight whoever the UFC designates.
“For me, (it doesn’t matter),” Makhachev said. “(Whoever) can make 155 (pounds), come in the cage with me.”
Moicano was a last-minute replacement for top challenger Arman Tsarukyan, who withdrew from Friday’s event due to an injury resulting in “severe back pain.”
The 35-year-old Brazilian, who had won nine of his last 10 fights, was unable to match Makhachev, who trapped him in a Brabo choke, forcing him to tap out almost immediately.
“This was not a day’s notice,” Moicano said after the game. “That was the notice of a lifetime. I was devastated. I had spent my whole life getting to this moment and knocking it out in the first round.”
Makhachev improved his overall record to 27 wins and 1 loss.