UPDATE [8/03/22]: After turning down the last-minute offer to face Rafael Dos Anjos at UFC 272, Islam Makhachev is once again on the collision course for Beneil Dariush in his next fight; the latter currently recovering from a leg injury that prevented him from taking on the former during the most recent scheduled Fight Night. Suffice it to say, Makhachevโs coach, longtime friend, and undefeated MMA legend in his own right โ Khabib Nurmagomedov โ isnโt too happy about UFC President Dana White reneging on his earlier confirmation. Should the Dagestani contender prevail, then heโll receive a title shot against the winner of UFC 274: Charles Oliveira vs Justin Gaethje.
Islam Makhachevโs Next Fight Will Be For The UFC Lightweight Title
After yet another dominant first-round victory during last weekendโs UFC Fight Night in Las Vegas โ this time against Bobby Green in place of an injured Beneil Dariush โ rising MMA star Islam Makhachev has revealed his next fight will be for the lightweight belt.
โI just smashed [read: smeshed] my all four opponents,โ Islam Makhachev told ESPNโs Megan Olivi.
โFour-win streak, I have this last 11 monthsโฆ Dana [White] just called Khabib [Nurmagomedov] and said [Islam Makhachev] is gonna fight for the title next.โ
When prompted about a preferred location, the 22-1 contender simply replied, โAbu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, Iโm gonna come home soon.โ
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The date, on the other hand, hinges upon whether UFC 274: Charles Oliveira vs Justin Gaethje goes according to plan โ meaning Islam Makhachev will likely receive his long-awaited title shot by yearโs end (November to December 2022); while the opponent will obviously be determined by whoever prevails between the reigning UFC Lightweight Champion in Oliveira (32-8) and the #1 challenger in Gaethje (23-3).
Speaking with Megan Olivi, Makhachevโs coach, longtime friend, and undefeated MMA legend in his own right โ Khabib Nurmagomedov โ offered some insight regarding his protegeโs potential match up (and by extension, the winner of UFC 274).
โAh, this is a hard question. If I say I believe Justin Gaethje gonna win [at UFC 274], then maybe people think, โOh I fight with him, thatโs why I want him.โ Something like this,โ explains Khabib Nurmagomedov, who defeated the American in decisive fashion during his final UFC title defence before retiring.
โFor UFC, itโs gonna be better if Charles Oliveira wins. 11-win streak versus 10-win streak. Two new blood for lightweight division. And I really want Charles and Islam to fight, you know?โ
โBut Iโm not gonna be surprised because Justin Gaethje has so much experience and big heart. If you want to beat him, you have to finish him. If not gonna be a finish, I think Justin Gaethje is gonna win this fightโฆ If Charles not finish him.โ
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โIslam Makhachev was my fatherโs favourite student. Islam was like a son to him. My dad kept saying Islam was going to be champion. Thatโs why I have to be here. Thatโs why I have to finish what my father started, training him.โ
Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Given how Islam Makhachev has now finished his past four fights, including:
- TKO (punches) with Bobby Green
- Submission (kimura) with Dan Hooker
- Submission (rear-naked choke) with Thiago Moises
- Submission (arm-triangle choke) with Drew Dober
โฆ bringing the tally to 14 finishes out of his 22 professional fights, if we follow the ongoing statistical trend, securing a finish shouldnโt be a problem. Of course, itโd be exceedingly foolish to discount the sheer calibre of both Oliveira and Gaethje in favour of the hype train.
Recently, Islam Makhachev himself stated how he likes his chances against Do Bronx.
โItโs going to be a good fight because we almost have the same style. He has good grappling skills, he has good striking, and itโs going to be a good fight,โ Makhachev explains to MMA Junkie.
โI donโt think itโs going to be hard for me. I can take him down easy because I know he doesnโt have good wrestling skills. But his grappling skills high level and we will see who is better there.โ
Precisely who Islam Makhachev will face in his next fight will be confirmed once and for all at UFC 274: Charles Oliveira vs Justin Gaethje come May 7th of 2022
