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Islam Makhachev calls for welterweight title fight with Leon Edwards at UFC 294: ‘What do you think?’

Without a pairing for his earmarked return at UFC 294 in October, undisputed lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev has suggested a welterweight title outing against current division kingpin, Leon Edwards in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Makhachev, the current undisputed lightweight champion, has been sidelined since he headlined UFC 284 back in February in Perth, Australia – defeating […]

Makhachev, the current undisputed lightweight champion, has been sidelined since he headlined UFC 284 back in February in Perth, Australia – defeating pound-for-pound number one and featherweight titleholder, Alexander Volkanovski in a close decision win.

Expected to make his return at UFC 294 in October in the Middle East, Makhachev, who has yet to be booked to fight at the Etihad Arena, however, recently seen a potential title rematch with Brazilian favorite, Charles Oliveira fall to the wayside for the time being, at least.

Touted to fight the Makhachkala native in October in a title re-run, Oliveira has revealed that a UFC 294 return would come too soon for him, instead offering to compete against Islam Makhachev at UFC 295 in November, or UFC 296 in December, respectively.

Islam Makhachev calls for title bout with Leon Edwards at UFC 294

For Makhachev, the Russian has an idea in mind to see him compete at UFC 294, nevertheless, offering to fight Birmingham native, Edwards in October for welterweight spoils.

“UFC Abu Dhabi (UFC 294), October 21st,” Islam Makhachev tweeted. “Makhachev vs. Edwards. What do you guys think? @ufc @espnmma”

UFC Abu Dhabi, October 21st
Makhachev vs Edwards
What do you think? @ufc @espnmma

— Makhachev Islam (@MAKHACHEVMMA) July 18, 2023

Himself expected to fight former interim champion, Colby Covington in his return to the Octagon, Edwards who recently welcomed a clash in either October or November against the outspoken Clovis wrestler.

Sidelined since UFC 286 in March, Edwards turned in a trilogy rubber match win over former pound-for-pound number one, Kamaru Usman on home soil – nabbing a close majority decision success.

Winning vacant lightweight gold at UFC 280 last year in the Middle East, Makhachev brought an end to Oliveira’s 12-fight winning run with a second round arm-triangle submission.

Michael Chandler plays up future UFC title fight with Islam Makhachev: ‘Our time is coming’

Still yet to book his long-awaited Octagon return against former two-division UFC champion, Conor McGregor, lightweight contender, Michael Chandler has switched attention to division titleholder, Islam Makhachev – amid speculation of the latter’s potential opponent for a pegged UFC 294 return. Chandler, the current number five ranked lightweight challenger, has been sidelined since he featured […]

Chandler, the current number five ranked lightweight challenger, has been sidelined since he featured on the main card of UFC 281 back in November of last year, suffering an eventual third round rear-naked choke submission loss to former interim champion, Dustin Poirier.

As for Makhachev, the Russian lightweight has been sidelined since he headlined UFC 284 back in February in Perth, Australia – successfully defending the undisputed title with a unanimous decision win over undisputed featherweight champion, Alexander Volkanovski.

Initially winning vacant gold at UFC 280 back in October of last year, Makhachev submitted former undisputed champion, Charles Oliveira with a second round arm-triangle choke in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

Yet to be booked to make his return to the Octagon ahead of an earmarked headlining slot at UFC 294 in October, Makhachev has seen a potential title rematch with Oliveira fall to the wayside, with the Brazilian confirming himself how a return date is coming “too soon” for him.

Islam Makhachev receives a call out from Michael Chandler ahead of UFC 294

Likely left opponent-less for his expected return at UFC 294, Makhachev has been called out by the aforenoted Missouri native, Michael Chandler – who claimed that the pair are on a collision course.

“Our time is coming,” Michael Chandler replied to Islam Makhachev on his official Twitter account overnight.

Our time is coming…

— Michael Chandler (@MikeChandlerMMA) July 9, 2023

Earlier this year, however, Chandler, a former three-time Bellator MMA lightweight champion served as an opposing coach on The Ultimate Fighter 31 – standing opposite the aforenoted, McGregor, with the duo expected to take on each other at the welterweight limit, however, at the time of publication, an official location, date, or event for the pairing has yet to be determined by the organization.

Alexander Volkanovski optimistic about Islam Makhachev rematch at UFC 294: ‘I’m not ruling that out’

Even though Alexander Volkanovski has just defended his belt at UFC 290 against Yair Rodriguez, he’s already looking forward and eyeing a potential rematch with Islam Makhachev at UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi. Oh, and that’s despite Volkanovski’s need for an arm surgery. While Volkanovski has slowly been building his legacy these last few years […]

While Volkanovski has slowly been building his legacy these last few years as a UFC champion, the possibility of cementing himself as one of the few double champions in UFC history has been very enticing to him. He fought Islam Makhachev to a very close decision at UFC 284 and has confessed to being eager for another shot at the lightweight title.

“We all know I want that lightweight belt,” Alexander Volkanovski began, speaking at the UFC 290 post-fight press conference (H/T MMA Fighting). “We all know I want that rematch. I want that Islam fight. I think not only for me to get that belt, to get that win back but I think it is a massive fight for the UFC as well.”

Alexander Volkanovski talks about a rematch with Islam Makhachev

“I think it’s a fight everyone wants to see,” Volkanovski continued. “It was literally that type of fight. It was that close. It was a cracking fight. Everyone enjoyed it. I was very, very high level. It was (No. 1 and No. 2 pound-for-pound) going at it. We showed out, it really was that., He lived up to the hype. I lived up to the hype and that fight lived up to the hype. We just need to see (rounds) 5 to 10.”

While Charles Oliveira is widely assumed to be next up for his own rematch with Islam Makhachev, Oliveira is not interested in fighting until November, or December. This opens up the possibility of somebody like Alexander Volkanovski stepping up to face Makhachev at UFC 294 in Abu, Dhabi.

“It makes it a lot better opportunity for me to step in there (against Islam Makhachev),” Volkanovski said when addressing Oliveira not being ready for October. “I’m not ruling that out. It’s funny. These people want extra time off and here I am telling you I’m going to get surgery and I’ll probably going to turn out there in October. That’s what I’m showing you.”

Do you think Volkanovski will be ready to rematch Makhachev in October?

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Charles Oliveira confirms he is unable to make return October return at UFC 294 against Islam Makhachev: ‘It’s too soon for me’

Despite seemingly all but penned to fight lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev in a title rematch at UFC 294 in October in Abu Dhabi, UAE, former division champion, Charles Oliveira has admitted the Middle Eastern turnaround is “too soon” for him, eyeing a fight in either November or December instead. Oliveira, the current number one ranked […]

Oliveira, the current number one ranked lightweight contender, most recently featured in the co-main event of UFC 289 back in June in Vancouver, Canada, appearing to earn his championship rematch with Russian finisher, Makhachev, stopping the run of Beneil Dariush with a first round TKO victory.

Having previously shared the Octagon with American Kickboxing Academy staple, Makhachev back in October of last year in the main event of UFC 280, Oliveira saw his division-best 12-fight winning run come to a halt after dropping an arm-triangle submission loss to the former in the pair’s vacant title outing.

Charles Oliveira confirms he is unlikely to fight Islam Makhachev at UFC 294

Initially calling for an October championship re-run with Makhachev, Sao Paulo native, Oliveira admitted during an interview with TSN reporter, Aaron Bronsteter, that he is unable to make a turnaround and fight Makhachev at UFC 284 in October.

“So, I’m gonna honest with you,” Charles Oliveira said through a translator.” We don’t have nothing yet – we still are waiting. But, to be honest, October is too soon for me. It’s too soon – especially if the fight is gonna be there [in Abu Dhabi]. I’m really going to be ready in November or December, but October is too soon. We don’t have nothing yet.”

Here is our discussion regarding his rematch with Islam Makhachev: pic.twitter.com/dEhWg7pDN6

— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) July 8, 2023

Questioned if he would be willing to lay in wait for a future title affair, Oliveira stressed that he would be ready to fight at the end of the year instead.

“I just need to wait, I’m a UFC employee, so I just need to wait,” Charles Oliveira explained through a translator. “For me, it doesn’t matter. The one thing I can tell you, I’m not ready for a fight in October, but in November or December, I will be ready. I’m just waiting, so let’s see what they’re (UFC) going to do.”