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Islam Makhachev explains why he turned down UFC 300 title fight against Leon Edwards

Islam Makhachev turned down the chance to headline one of the biggest UFC events ever. Next month, UFC 300…

Islam Makhachev turned down the chance to headline one of the biggest UFC events ever.

Next month, UFC 300 will be headlined by a light heavyweight title tilt pitting reigning and defending champion Alex Pereira against former titleholder Jamahal Hill. In the weeks preceding the big announcement, multiple fighters were rumored to step into the main event spotlight next month, including Israel Adesanya, Khamzat Chimaev, and Jon ‘Bones Jones’

Among those top names was current lightweight champion Islam Makhachev, who revealed that UFC CEO Dana White came calling with an opportunity to move up and challenge Leon Edwards for welterweight gold.

“Honestly, yes, but it’s not possible, man,” Makhachev said when asked if he was offered the spot while speaking with MMA Junkie’s Mike Bohn. “Because we have Ramadan now. One month with fasting, and it’s not possible to do training in Ramadan. It’s very hard. You have to fast when the sun rises, and all day you have to fast. … Training this time is very hard.”

Islam Makhachev eyeing fight with Dustin Poirier

Considered the holiest month on the Islamic calendar, Ramadan runs from March 10 through April 9. With UFC 300 scheduled to go down on April 13, there simply wasn’t enough time for the ‘Dagestani Destroyer’ to prepare himself for such an important opportunity.

“Of course (it makes me sad), this is a dream fight for me,” Makhachev said. “I don’t have any small chance to fight at UFC 300, that’s why I’m very upset, man. It’s a big deal, big fight with Leon Edwards for the second belt, but this time I miss the chance.”

Though the timeline for UFC 300 did not work out, Makhachev hopes that he can book himself a fight this summer. With both Justin Gaethje and Charles Oliveira already booked, Makhachev has been angling for a fight with former interim champion Dustin Poirier. The Diamond’ is fresh off a highlight-reel-worthy knockout of Benoit Saint-Denis at UFC 299 on March 9.

“I know Dustin does not deserve the title fight, but we don’t have any option right now,” Makhachev said. “Everybody is busy. I want to fight. I want to fight three times this year. I have to call out someone, and Poirier is free now. He showed an excellent performance and scored a beautiful knockout. He’s free now, he’s healthy, and I asked him to fight in June.”

Check out the full interview with Islam Makhachev below:

Islam Makhachev eyes June title fight with Dustin Poirier after UFC 299: ‘He has a good guillotine’

Islam Makhachev has welcomed the prospect of a June title showdown with UFC 299 big winner, Dustin Poirier –…

Islam Makhachev has welcomed the prospect of a June title showdown with UFC 299 big winner, Dustin Poirier – claiming the Lafayette native possesses a good guillotine choke in response to his call out for a summer championship fight.

Makhachev, the current undisputed lightweight champion and pound-for-pound number one ranked fighter on the promotion’s books, has been sidelined since last October, most recently turning in a blistering first round high-kick and strikes knockout win over Alexander Volkanovski in the pair’s title rematch.

Islam Makhachev set to fight twice this year ahead of expected UFC return — Mandatory Credit: Giuseppe Cacece

As for Poirier, the Louisianan co-headlined UFC 299 last weekend in Miami, landing an impressive second round KO win over surging French contender, Benoit Saint-Denis – after battling through some notable adversity, and apparent fatigue, according to veteran caller, Joe Rogan.

Islam Makhachev calls for Dustin Poirier title fight next

Receiving an almost immediate offer Makhachev’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz of a June title fight against his client, Poirier has welcomed the prospect of fighting the dominant Russian calling out the former for a June showdown next.

Dustin Poirier calls for title fight with Islam Makhachev in June after shocking KO win at UFC 299 — Mandatory Credit: Megan Briggs

“I know Dustin (Poirier) does not deserve a title fight, but we don’t have any [other] option right now,” Islam Makhachev told MMA Junkie. “Everybody is busy, but I want to fight, you know? I want to fight three times in the year, that’s why I just have to call out someone, and Poirier is free now. And he showed an excellent performance, and scored a beautiful knockout. …”

“He’s a legend, he’s beat a lot of tough guys,” Islam Makhachev said. “And he’s a tough opponent, too. He has a good guillotine.”

Sidelined through the coming months amid his participation in the religious period of Ramadan, Makhachev was rumored to fight for welterweight gold at UFC 300 next month – in a monstrous fight against undisputed gold holder, Leon Edwards, ultimately to no avail.

Who wins in a potential June title fight: Dustin Poirier or Islam Makhachev?

Dustin Poirier takes issue with Joe Rogan’s commentary after UFC 299 win: ‘I can’t believe he said that’

Off the back of his spectacular victory over the surging, Benoit Saint-Denis at UFC 299 over the course of…

Off the back of his spectacular victory over the surging, Benoit Saint-Denis at UFC 299 over the course of last weekend, former interim lightweight titleholder, Dustin Poirier admits he was a little ticked off by the commentary of stalwart favorite, Joe Rogan – adamantly denying claims he was fatigued in the bout.

Poirier, who retained his number three rank within the division’s rankings off the back of his win, fought through some notable adversity in the opening round against Nimes native, Saint-Denis, wrapping up a thunderous second round stoppage in the form of a KO win over the roughshod running challenger.

Dustin Poirier UFC 299 2 — Mandatory Credit: Chris Unger – Zuffa LLC

Fighting off numerous submission attempts throughout their five round scheduled bout, Poirier shelled up at the fence in the second frame, before unloading a counter left uppercut, momentarily dropping Saint-Denis to one knee.

And circling out, Poirier uncorked a whopper right hook shot, sending Saint-Denis hurtling back to the canvas, forcing a stoppage with a massive ground strike soon thereafter.

Dustin Poirier reflects on UFC 299 win

Reflecting on his win, Poirier, who has sights fixed on a stunning June return in a lightweight title siege against the undisputed, Islam Makhachev, admitted he took umbrage with some comments from Rogan on comms at UFC 299.

Benoit Saint-Denis reveals fight with infection led to UFC 299 knockout loss against Dustin Poirier — Mandatory Credit: Chris Unger – Zuffa LLC

“I rewatched the fight last night with my wife when we got back to Lousiana,” Dustin Poirier told MMA Fighting. “Joe Rogan said I was exhausted, said I was tired like five times. Bor, I do not get tired. I have some of the best cardio in this fight sh*t that we do. Like, I can go 25 minutes, hard, cracking the whole time, I can’t believe he said that – I felt good.

“…I thought I was gonna have to break him (Benoit Saint-Denis) down, wear him down a little bit more but I caught him in the middle of a trad when his chin was up and his body wasn’t set for that right hook. The timing of it was just perfect to whip his brain around.”

Addressing his loss to Poirier, Saint-Denis, who saw his stunning winning run of finishes halted at UFC 299, confirmed speculation that he was suffering with an infection during fight week – revealing he required antibiotics to battle the setback – which ultimately effected his cardio.

What’s next for Dustin Poirier after his blistering win at UFC 299?

B/R Exclusive: Dustin Poirier Fights on Despite the Doubters

Dustin Poirier, by any measure, is doing well for himself. He’s respected among his peers. He’s got a happy family. He’s succeeded with outside business…

Dustin Poirier previews future title fight with Islam Makhachev: ‘Maybe I’ll submit him with a guillotine’

Former interim lightweight champion, Dustin Poirier has once again campaigned for a title fight with undisputed divisional gold holder,…

Former interim lightweight champion, Dustin Poirier has once again campaigned for a title fight with undisputed divisional gold holder, Islam Makhachev – after receiving an offer to fight the Russian as soon as June, off the back of his knockout win over Benoit Saint-Denis over the weekend at UFC 299.

Poirier, the current number three ranked lightweight contender, co-headlined UFC 299 over the course of the weekend in Miami, turning back the surging Nimes native, Saint-Denis with a huge second round KO – after battling through massive adversity throughout the opening round.

Fighting off numerous submission attempts from the streaking French prospect, Poirier managed to wobble and bring Saint-Denis to one knee with a cleverly-placed uppercut in close, before then cannoning off a huge right hook counter, knocking out the Frenchman in front of a raucous crowd at the Kaseya Center.

And receiving an outright offer from Dominance MMA leader, Ali Abdelaziz to fight his client, Makhachev in an undisputed lightweight title fight as soon as June – Poirier himself then called out the pound-for-pound kingpin for a summer title showdown.

Dustin Poirier previews Islam Makahchev title fight

Receiving backing from promotional CEO, Dana White, who claimed the Lafayette native’s stardom reached a new level off the back of his win over Saint-Denis, which he described as “legendary”, Poirier claimed he may line up an almost patented guillotine choke attempt on the Russian should they meet next.

“I’ll never stop jumping guillotines either,” Dustin Poirier told MMA Fighting. “But, he (Benoit Saint-Denis) never took me down neither. I took myself down like five times.”

“I don’t know, I need to stop [attempting guillotine chokes], but I will never,” Dustin Poirier said defiantly. “Yeah, I hit it a lot [during training], I hit it a lot, I put people unconscious – never in a fight though. Maybe I’ll submit Islam (Makhachev) with it.”

Himself sidelined since October of last year, Makhachev most recently headlined UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi, UAE – landing a blistering first round high-kick knockout win over former undisputed featherweight champion, Alexander Volkanovski in the pair’s rematch.

Can Dustin Poirier end the title run of the dominant Islam Makhachev?

Dustin Poirier rekindles rivalry with Conor McGregor after UFC 299 win: ‘He felt that right hook, too’

Dustin Poirier has responded to Conor McGregor’s reaction to his UFC 299 knockout of Benoit Saint-Denis. Poirier entered his…

Dustin Poirier has responded to Conor McGregor’s reaction to his UFC 299 knockout of Benoit Saint-Denis.

Poirier entered his five-round UFC 299 co-main event fight against Saint-Denis as the betting underdog and many were writing him off after his KO loss to Justin Gaethje last July.

In the first round, Saint-Denis had success and to begin the second round, he got Poirier down and had his back to begin the round. Yet, Poirier was able to get back to his feet and landed a nice uppercut and then a right hook to KO Saint-Denis.

Dustin Poirier lands stunning KO win over Benoit Saint Denis in rsllying performance UFC 299 Highlights — Mandatory Credit: Chris Unger – Zuffa LLC

After Poirier’s win, his rival McGregor took to social media to give congratulations to both ‘The Diamond’ and Saint-Denis.

“Great fight out of them French boys tonight! Toutes nos felicitations @DustinPoirier @BenoitSt_Denis @EmmanuelMacron,” McGregor wrote on X.

Dustin Poirier pokes fun at three-fight foe, Conor McGregor

After his win, Dustin Poirier was asked about Conor McGregor’s comments and he issued a short response”

“Yeah? Well, he felt that right hook too,” Poirier said at the UFC 299 post-fight press conference.

Of course, Poirier knocked McGregor out in the second round back in 2021 with the right hook.

Despite Poirier winning two straight fights against Conor McGregor, including knocking him out, they still have a rivalry with one another. So, perhaps the two fight for a fourth time in the future as the trilogy ended with the Irishman breaking his leg, but for now ‘The Diamond’ is focused on the lightweight title.

“That’s the only reason I’m fighting,” Poirier said. “I started fighting to be the world champion, to be the best in the world, undisputed. We have to see. I have to get home, talk to my coaches, my wife, and my management, and we’ll see what’s next. I don’t know. But yes, I’ve done a lot in this sport. I’m not trying to brag, but I’ve done a lot in this sport. I’ve been fighting for a long time. I think this was around my 50th MMA fight, and I’ve done a lot, checked a lot of boxes. But there’s still one box unchecked, and that’s being a world champion.”

Dustin Poirier offered title fight with Islam Makhachev in June after UFC 299 win — Mandatory Credit: Chris Unger – Zuffa LLC

With the win over Saint-Denis, Poirier is now 30-8 with one ‘No Contest‘ as a pro and is 2-2 in his last four.

Do you think we ever see Dustin Poirier vs. Conor McGregor 4?