Final Combating Championship light-weight contender Islam Makhachev claims he by no means turned down a suggestion to battle Rafael dos Anjos on brief discover final weekend. Quite, the alternative is true.
Makhachev (22-1), who defeated Bobby Inexperienced within the UFC Struggle Night time primary occasion on February 26, publicly supplied to face Dos Anjos in a 170-pound battle final weekend, when the unique Dos Anjos opponent contracted COVID-19. The battle didn’t ultimately come collectively, and dos Anjos (31-13) went on to defeat Renato Moikano as an alternative.
UFC president Dana White instructed members of the media final week that Makhachev refused to battle dos Anjos, however Makhachev mentioned it was him who requested it.
“I used to be in California on trip, and I known as my supervisor and mentioned, ‘Please name the UFC, I am able to take this battle,'” Makhachev instructed ESPN. The UFC wasn’t calling me. I needed this battle, however the UFC did not. That is it.”
Makhachev, his teammate and the stepson of retired legend Khabib Nurmagomedov, refused to reveal the “situations” he requested, however emphasised that they weren’t essential.
Along with claiming that Makhachev turned down a dos Anjos battle, White mentioned the UFC could be trying to guide its subsequent match towards No. 4 mild heavyweight seed Benel Deriouch. Makhachev mentioned he believes Dariush is world-class, however is just not involved in something apart from combating for the title right now.
“(White) can say no matter he desires, it would not matter,” mentioned Makhachev. “I’ll battle anybody, as a result of I can be champion and I’ll battle all the highest 10. And I’ll defeat all these guys. Once I take that belt, I’ll win dos Anjos, all these guys, however the UFC has a present in Abu Dhabi [in the fall] I believe I deserve.
“If (present champ) Charles Oliveira beat Justin Gethje (in Might), it might be 11 fights in a row for 10 in a row. That is just like Khabib towards Tony Ferguson. That is the largest battle within the light-weight class.”
Oliveira can be in search of to defend his second title towards Gethje at UFC 274 on Might 7 in Phoenix. Past that, the subsequent light-weight title contender is unclear. White instructed it might be Conor McGregor, who is predicted to return from a damaged leg in 2023 later this 12 months. Makhachev mentioned he was not on this chance.
“I believe that is pretend,” Makhachev mentioned. “For the followers, make one thing attention-grabbing. It should be arduous for him to make 155 (£) as a result of he is drunk all day. Plenty of folks will crash him. Nate Diaz or some previous man will battle to make some cash. He isn’t going to be champion once more. “.
Makhachev, 30, mentioned his long-term purpose is to win the light-weight belt later this 12 months, defend it three to 5 instances after which transfer on to welterweight for a second title.
