Islam Makhachev | UFC Betting Sites - The Best MMA Online Bookies

Max Holloway eyeing lightweight title fight with win over Justin Gaethje at UFC 300: ‘It would be a fun one’

With a win over Justin Gaethje at UFC 300, Max Holloway isn’t ruling out the possibility of a fight…

With a win over Justin Gaethje at UFC 300, Max Holloway isn’t ruling out the possibility of a fight with reigning lightweight champion Islam Makhachev.

On Saturday, April 13, ‘Blessed’ will step inside the Octagon for what many are calling the people’s main event. The former featherweight titleholder will look to claim the promotion’s bragging rights belt, the BMF title, when he meets another beloved fan favorite inside the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Justin Gaethje vs. Max Holloway at UFC 300

But a win over ‘The Highlight’ won’t just net Holloway a cool new belt to put on his mantle. It could also thrust him into the lightweight division’s top five, setting the stage for a potential shot at the division’s top prize.

“I’m in a place where first things first is Gaethje, but if I got out there and get my hand raised like I plan on doing, there’s a lot of fights that can be there for us — one of them being the [155 pound] champ which I think it would be a fun one,” Holloway told Kevin Iole during a recent interview.

This will be Max Holloway’s second time fighting at lightweight, his first coming against Dustin Poirier at UFC 236 — exactly five years from the day he returns to the division later this month.

‘Blessed’ saw his 13-fight win streak snapped at the hands of ‘The Diamond’ before retreating back to 145 for a trilogy of classic clashes with Alexander Volkanovski.

Justin Gaethje believes Max Holloway will be too tough for his own good at uFC 300

As for Max Holloway’s UFC 300 opponent, Justin Gaethje is practically teed up for one last shot at Makhachev’s lightweight gold, but a loss to ‘Blessed’ could put a wrinkle in those plans. The Highlight’ has won four of his last six, the two losses coming against then-champions Khabib Nurmagomedov and Charles Oliveira, making an all but guaranteed showdown with the ‘Dagestani Destroyer’ his last opportunity to claim UFC gold.

Well aware of the stakes at play, Gaethje plans on using the Octagon canvas to paint a masterpiece of violence and mayhem with Holloway’s blood at UFC 300.

“Max Holloway is a legend, probably the only person on the UFC roster that checks every single box of being a BMF so I have a lot of respect for him,” Gaethje said during a promotional video for their upcoming clash. “However, this is my job and I’m going to try and f*ck him up. I will finish Max, he may not go away the traditional way, but I think I will inflict damage to where the doctors need to stop it. We are about to paint a violent picture and no two better guys to go out there and put on a show.”

Video – Islam Makhachev shows off new shaved head amid links to June return fight with Dustin Poirier

Undisputed lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev has donned a new look ahead of his expected return to the Octagon in…

Undisputed lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev has donned a new look ahead of his expected return to the Octagon in June – shaving his head bald ahead of a potential fight with former interim champion, Dustin Poirier in his UFC comeback.

Makhachev, the current undisputed lightweight titleholder and current pound-for-pound number one ranked fighter, most recently headlined UFC 294 back in October, racking up his second successful defense of his crown in a rematch with Alexander Volkanovski.

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

Landing a first round high-kick and strikes knockout win over the Australian, Makahchev had been linked with a spectacular return atop UFC 300 in a welterweight division clash against incumbent gold holder, Leon Edwards.

However, confirming his decision to reject the pairing, Russian ace, Islam Makhachev cited his participation in the religious period, Ramadan as the reason for him turning down the chance to become a duel-weight champion.

UFC Saudi Arabia postponed until June amid links to Islam Makhachev comeback fight — Mandatory Credit: Zuffa LLC

Targeting a June return to the Octagon with the promotion recently confirming a UFC 302 card in Newark, New Jersey – lightweight kingpin, Makhachev has been linked with a title defense against the above-mentioned, Poirier, who turned in a second round KO win over Benoit Saint Denis at UFC 298 back in February.

Islam Makhachev shaves his head bald

And sporting a new look ahead of his expected return against Lafayette striker, Poirier this summer, American Kickboxing Academy staple, Makhachev has shaved his head bald – getting rid of his classic buzz cut as a result.

Prior to his victory against Volkanovski – whom he claimed returned too soon in his knockout loss to Ilia Topuria back in February, Makhachev had halted the run of Brazilian ace, Charles Oliveira to successfully clinch the vacant 155lbs crown.

Dustin Poirier reacts to Islam Makhachev's title fight call joke I've done more in the sport than him — Mandatory Credit: Megan Briggs

Noting his interest in fighting Louisianan veteran, Poirier in a summer comeback – after his manager, Ali Abdelaziz offered the former a shot a gold, rather tongue-in-cheek, Makhachev praised the guillotine choke ability of the former interim champion.

Who wins in a clash this summer: Islam Makhachev or Dustin Poirier?

Dustin Poirier Eyes UFC Title Fight vs. Islam Makhachev: ‘I Want That Belt’

Dustin Poirier expressed his interest in a fight with UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev in a social media post on Thursday. “I want that belt,” Poirier…

Islam Makhachev betting favorite to remain champion all year amid links to summer fight with Dustin Poirier

Amid links to a stunning June title fight with former interim champion, Dustin Poirier in a return to the…

Amid links to a stunning June title fight with former interim champion, Dustin Poirier in a return to the Octagon – undisputed divisional champion, Islam Makhachev remains a distinct betting favorite to hold the crown on December 31. this year – in an important annum for the Russian.

Makhachev, the current pound-for-pound number one fighter on the promotion’s books, most recently secured his second successful defense of the undisputed title back in October, definitively ending his rivalry with Alexander Volkanovski with a stunning high-kick knockout win.

And as for Lafayette native, Poirier, the number three ranked contender has staked his claim for a shot at Islam Makhachev next, fresh off the back of a second round KO win over Nimes native, Benoit Saint Denis earlier this month.

Islam Makhachev betting favorite to hold gold come December 31.

With the chasing pack hot on the heels of American Kickboxing Academy, fans can find the best bet news at the link provided – with Makhachev currently a -300 betting favorite to hold the lightweight title at the end of the year.

Sitting just behind Islam Makhachev in the pecking order to hold gold come the end of the year, a former foe of the Russian, incoming UFC 300 main card feature, Arman Tsarukyan is closing lines as a +250 compared to the current champion.

And as for Poirier, likely attempting to snatch undisputed gold for the final time in his Octagon tenure, the former interim champion is a +350 betting underdog – sat level with former champion – another UFC 300 feature, Charles Oliveira.

Interestingly, despite his stunning knockout loss to Justin Gaethje at UFC 291 last July in the pair’s symbolic BMF championship rematch, Poirier is still shorter in odds to hold lightweight gold at the end of the year, compared to the Arizona native who is a +500 underdog.

Islam Makhachev backed to retire from the UFC by end of next year he's cleared out 155 pounds — Mandatory Credit: Zuffa LLC

Himself also expected to return in June – this time at the end of the month, Conor McGregor – a former undisputed lightweight champion back in 2016, is a massive +3,500 betting underdog to hold gold at the end of the year.

Expected to draw former title chaser, Michael Chandler, former two-division champion, McGregor is without a win since a 2020 knockout of Donald Cerrone, and is forced to snap a two-fight losing skid for the first time in his professional mixed martial arts career.

The joint unlikeliest champion come the end of the year according to the latest odds comes in the form of a former interim titleholder, Tony Ferguson – who is riding a +100,000 betting underdog line, alongside Claudio Puelles, amid his record-setting seven-fight losing run.

Revealing he turned down a massive UFC 300 title fight with Leon Edwards at the welterweight limit first, the above-mentioned, Makhachev is currently a +500 betting underdog to hold gold a division higher come the end of December this year – if fans are interested in punting on the Russian once more.

The above-mentioned, Volkanovski may have just lost his featherweight title to Ilia Topuria last month in California, however, maintains his run at lightweight is far from over. And fans looking to wager on the Australian finally minting himself as the 155 pound gold holder, can find him at odds of a +10,000 betting underdog.

Islam Makhachev sidelined through the summer amid injury from UFC — Mandatory Credit: Zuffa LLC

With his odds so short at the welterweight limit, Islam Makhachev lands above the likes of Ian Machado Garry, Sean Brady, Kamaru Usman, Khamzat Chimaev, and new star, Michael ‘Venom’ Page to name a few – leaving him behind just Belal Muhammad, Shavkat Rakhmonov, and the aforenoted, Edwards in the pile.

Weighing up his chances of fighting Russian star, Islam Makhachev in the future in a potential lightweight leap, newly-minted featherweight best, Topuria has yet to earn odds at 155 pounds to hold gold come the end of the year, however, can be wager on as a -160 betting favorite to retain spoils at the featherweight limit currently.

Of note, outside the duo of Khamzat Chimaev at middleweight, and incoming Octagon debutante, Kayla Harrison at the bantamweight limit, Islam Makhachev joins his fellow championship earning peers as the current respective betting favorites hold UFC gold in their current divisions come the end of the annum.

And expected to take on Louisianan striker, Poirier this summer in a return to the Octagon, Islam Makhachev boldly claimed that if the former was ever going to land spoils, he would have already done so before his reign – leading to a strict response from the former interim gold holder.

“If I could pick a fight, the title fight is my choice, that’s what I want,” Dustin Poirier saif. “I mean, that’s on him (Islam Makhachev) – I’ve done more in the sport of mixed martial arts than he has. I’ve been around a long time, I’ve been doing this before it was cool. And, you know, I’m still here – I’m still here doing it at the highest level. I can beat anybody in the world, and I hope he’s next.”

Islam Makhachev urged to meet UFC foe Dustin Poirier next: ‘It will be the biggest fight he’s ever had’

Islam Makhachev has been urged to stand opposite former interim lightweight champion, Dustin Poirier in his next Octagon walk…

Islam Makhachev has been urged to stand opposite former interim lightweight champion, Dustin Poirier in his next Octagon walk according to Daniel Cormier – with the Russian’s former training partner claiming a fight with the former is the biggest he could book right now.

Makhachev the current pound-for-pound number one ranked fighter under the promotion’s banner and the incumbent lightweight champion, has been sidelined since he finished former featherweight best, Alexander Volkanovski back in October at UFC 294 with a first round knockout last October.

As for Poirier, the former interim division champion turned in a stunning knockout win in a clash with the surging French contender, Benoit Saint-Denis earlier this month in the co-main event of UFC 299 with a second round finish.

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

Remaining vocal of his chances of fighting Makhachev in a targeted summer return to the Octagon, Poirier was immediately offered a shot at gold by the former’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz after his UFC 299 victory.

And engaging in somewhat of a verbal spat with Poirier on social media this week, Makhachev claimed that if the Lafayette native was going to win the title, he would have already done so – after Poirier maintained he had achieved more in mixed martial arts than the Russian.

Islam Makhachev urged to fight Dustin Poirier

Seemingly on a summer collision course as soon as June, Poirier has been touted as Makhachev’s biggest fight to date – on paper, by the above-mentioned Hall of Fame star, Cormier.

“This is a no-lose situation for the UFC,” Cormier said on his YouTube channel. “Islam (Makhachev) wants to fight, so I think you gotta try to make that happen as soon as possible. I love it. Book it, right now. Makhachev versus (Dustin) Poirier. It will be a massive fight.”

“It really will be the biggest fight that Islam Makhachev has ever had in terms of the box office,” Cormier continued.

Would you like to see Islam Makhachev fight Dustin Poirier next?

Islam Makhachev rips UFC ace Dustin Poirier: ‘If you could beat anybody, you’d be holding this belt right now’

Amid links to a June title fight return with former interim champion, Dustin Poirier, UFC pound-for-pound kingpin, Islam Makhachev…

Amid links to a June title fight return with former interim champion, Dustin Poirier, UFC pound-for-pound kingpin, Islam Makhachev has claimed if the Lafayette native could beat “anybody” like he believes – he would be holding lightweight spoils right not, and not himself.

Makhachev, the current undisputed lightweight champion, most recently headlined UFC 294 back in October against former featherweight titleholder, Alexander Volkanovski, stopping the Australian with a stunning first round high-kick knockout win.

Dustin Poirier takes issue with Joe Rogan's commentary after UFC 299 win I can't believe he said that — Mandatory Credit: Chris Unger – Zuffa LLC

As for Poirier, the former interim champion returned to co-headline UFC 299 earlier this month most recently, stopping the surge of French contender, Benoit Saint-Denis with a blistering second round KO in their Miami co-main event clash.

And staking his claim for a fight against Russian star, Makhachev later this summer in the wake of his win over Saint Denis, Poirier maintained he had provided more for the sport of mixed martial arts than Makhachev – while also claiming he had achieved more.

Islam Makhachev hits out at Dustin Poirier

Welcoming the chance to fight the Louisanan in a summer comeback, Makahchev – who’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz offered the former a fight against his client, hit out at Poirier today in a series of messages on social media.

“Dustin if you could beat anybody, you’d be holding this belt right now, not me,” Islam Makhachev posted on his official X account.

“His (Dustin Poirier) is: permanent contender how many title losses, 2? 3?” Islam Makhachev replied to an X user who claimed Poirier was on a “different level now”.

Sidelined through the beginning of the summer amid the religious period of Ramadan, Makhachev was reportedly offered a massive UFC 300 headliner against current champion, Leon Edwards in a welterweight move, however, was forced to refuse the pairing.

Who wins in a summer championship clash: Islam Makhachev or Dustin Poirier?