If his actions aren’t talked about loud enough already, Islam Makhachev wants to make it clear that he will go through everyone and everyone to prove that he is not to be taken lightly.
As the current “Dagestan destroyer” of the UFC lightweight division, Makhachev won 10 fights in a row and was only once defeated. Thus, he is conveniently placed in line for the winner of the May title fight between champion Charles Oliveira and Justin Gaethje.
However, one popular Irishman is always an opportunity to slip into the mix. But Makhachev isn’t worried about “The Infamous” and sees himself in winning and defending the title ahead of the 170lb run.
“They say Conor [McGregor] maybe come back and fight for the title,” Makhachev told ESPN. “When was the last time he fought at lightweight and won in 2016? Five or six years ago. I’ll take this belt, defend 35 times and move up to welterweight.
“I saw this fight [from UFC 272]I was in the front row when [Jorge] Masvidal fought Colby [Covington]. These guys… To be honest, I really believe that I can beat these guys in one night, both of them. Colby, he just wrestled. I can easily beat him in a fight. His kicks are very slow. The other guy, Masvidal, I think he’s already so old that he’s just making some money, maybe a couple more fights and he’ll retire.”
Two weeks ago, Makhachev scored his 10th win in a row of 22 in the main event of UFC Vegas 49 against Bobby Green. It took only three minutes and 23 seconds for Makhachev to finish off Green with strikes on the ground in a bout that was originally supposed to take him to Beneil Dariush. The MMA gods had other plans as Dariush suffered an ankle injury.
Rafael dos Anjos, Makhachev’s former rival who was cautioned, needed a replacement over the weekend after Rafael Fiziev tested positive for COVID-19. Makhachev announced his interest on Twitter before talks were eventually broken off. Dos Anjos said on The MMA Hour on Monday that Makhachev had asked for $1 million for the short notice meeting.
“I don’t want to talk about it, very small. Nothing serious,” Makhachev said of his fill requests. “Not a million dollars, 100% not a million dollars.”
“Dana [White] said I pulled out of that fight but Monday morning when I woke up I just saw the news that Fiziev had COVID the fight was canceled and I was on vacation in California and I wake up and call my manager Makhachev said. “Hey Ali [Abdelaziz]. I saw some news. Please call the UFC and tell them I’m ready to take this fight.” I asked about some conditions, but very small conditions, nothing serious that it would be impossible to do. UFC [didn’t] call me not Ali call me I wake up call Ali and tell him talk to UFC please I want this fight. But the UFC doesn’t. That’s why the fight didn’t take place, that’s all.”
While acknowledging a desire to help the fans and a big UFC card, Makhachev now feels like he’s being looked at as the “bad guy.” As for Dos Anjos, whom he has faced three times, now he feels even more confident about how the fight will go.
“But now everyone thinks that the UFC called me and tried to arrange this fight, but I call the UFC and ask about this fight,” Makhachev said. “Anyway, I’m sitting in the front row, watching this fight, dos Anjos is not my level of fighter and what he can give me. If I beat him, people will still say: “This is an old man, he is not in the top 5.” Now Dana says: “Islam must fight against Dariush.” I have no problem fighting him, but who should fight for the title next? I do not know. [Dustin] Poirier? He lost many times. [Michael] Chandler lost. [Dan] Hooker, Tony Ferguson, everyone – RDA has four fights, only two wins. [Gregor] Gillespie fought once in three years. Who should fight for the title? I do not know.”
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Takeaway. Sean Al Shatti of MMA Fighting looks at the beginning of the end of an era post-UFC 272.
Old. WWE Champion Brock Lesnar has decided to return to MMA.
MMA time.
The next live.
The Chael Sonnen Show.
Secrets of lateral control.
Cyborg and SSS.
Kayla is not happy…
But Cyborg…
No. I remember Rhonda mentioned my name but NEVER wanted to fight me. You remind me of Rhonda.
— @CrisCyborg #NCF12, Sat Mar 12 NCFights.Com (@criscyborg) March 8, 2022
Nope. I blocked her because she. could sign with @BellatorMMA and made a fight but not
— @CrisCyborg #NCF12, Sat Mar 12 NCFights.Com (@criscyborg) March 8, 2022
Tell me you only have 50k followers without telling me you only have 50k… engagement farming is that easy https://t.co/dz7pPsbd4q
— @CrisCyborg #NCF12, Sat Mar 12 NCFights.Com (@criscyborg) March 8, 2022
Khamzat in Xtreme Couture.
Start.
Elliot is back in business!
Welcome to JW.
Marina wants to be shot, guys.
Classic chaos.
Monday Muay Thai with Dominator.
Chihiro’s big win in the Landmark main event.
Instant classic.
CCC and Gamebred?
Goodnight!
Gunnar Nelson (17-5-1) against Takashi Sato (14-3); UFC London, March 19
Man, Islam vs. Colby is a pretty exciting matchup. I kind of hope we get to see it sometime now. It’s definitely a lot more interesting than Usman vs Canelo…
Thanks for reading!
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