Makhachev submits Moises in UFC main event

Islam Makhachev took his next step toward the top of the lightweight division during his first UFC main event Saturday night.

The rising contender submitted Thiago Moises with a rear-naked choke at the 2:38 mark of the fourth round in the UFC Fight Night headliner at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

Makhachev took the Brazilian down early in the frame, eventually transitioning to back control and using the submission hold to force the tap from his opponent.

Afterward, Makhachev expressed interest in rebooking a fight with former lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos.

Early in his UFC career, Makhachev was best known as former 155-pound titleholder Khabib Nurmagomedov's training partner. And in true Nurmagomedov fashion, Makhachev dominated Saturday's contest from start to finish.

The 29-year-old got on top of Moises in each round and also landed some solid strikes on his feet. Moises' best moments came when he opened up with punches and kicks in the second round, took Makhachev down in that stanza, and attempted a heel hook late in the third. Makhachev's defense held up, though, and Moises struggled to record much impactful offense.

With the victory, Makhachev extended his winning streak to eight. He holds the second-longest such streak in the lightweight division after champion Charles Oliveira (nine), according to MMA Junkie's Mike Bohn. Makhachev also improved to 20-1 as a professional, and he owns a 9-1 record in the Octagon.

Moises' three-fight winning streak ended during what was also his first UFC headlining spot.