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Islam Makhachev offers to fight Conor McGregor in August showdown: ‘Brother, everyone can finish him’

Islam Makhachev offers to fight Conor McGregor in August showdown Already booked to headline UFC 302 in just over two weeks time, undisputed lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev has offered…

Already booked to headline UFC 302 in just over two weeks time, undisputed lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev has offered to fight former duel-weight champion, Conor McGregor as soon as August or September – claiming “everybody” who fights the Dubliner now, could likely finish him before the end of the bout.

Makhachev, the current undisputed lightweight titleholder and incumbent pound-for-pound number one fighter on the promotion’s books, is slated to headline UFC 302 next month in a defense against former interim champion, Dustin Poirier in New Jersey.

Islam Makhachev calls for division move after UFC 302 I've already beat everyone at lightweight — Mandatory Credit: Giuseppe Cacece

Sidelined since October of last year, American Kickboxing Academy staple, Makhachev most recently cemented his status as division best with a definitive finish over Alexander Volkanovski, landing a first round high-kick knockout win the pair’s rematch.

For McGregor, the former undisputed lightweight and featherweight champion is finally booked to make his return from a gruesome leg injury, headlining UFC 303 at the end of next month in a three-year hiatus-snapping comeback.

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Taking on former lightweight title chaser, Michael Chandler, Crumlin striker, McGregor will also return to the welterweight limit for the first time since a 2020 knockout win over Donald Cerrone.

Islam Makhachev again offers to fight Conor McGregor

And forever linked with a title fight defense against McGregor, Makhachev has offered to fight the Dubliner as soon as August if not September, claiming he would easily finish the ex-champion.

Ticket prices described as "criminal" for UFC 303 as Conor McGregor return set to land +$20,000,000 gate — Mandatory Credit: Mike Strobe

“Why you say he (Dustin Poirier) finished Conor (McGregor) twice?” Islam Makhachev said on the Pound4Pound Show. “Brother, everyone can finish Conor – 10 times. Why not, brother? People have to be stupid to say ‘No’. Of course I will fight with him.”

“Brother, when I will fight next?” Islam Makhachev said. “October or November – I can fight August or September with McGregor. Brother, easy. This guy is not (the) same. I don’t want to like, make him feel – like look bad, but everybody knows this guy is not the same. When he was fighting with Khabib (Nurmagomedov) he was in good shape, but right now, it’s too much alcohol and too much whiskey. It’s not [the] same.”

Khabib Nurmagomedov planned to allow Dustin Poirier put guillotine choke on him in 2019: ‘He told me’

Ahead of his return at UFC 302 next month, undisputed lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev has revealed his long-time friend…

Ahead of his return at UFC 302 next month, undisputed lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev has revealed his long-time friend and coach, Khabib Nurmagomedov told him prior to his 2019 title fight with Dustin Poirier – how he was planning to allow the Lafayette native to search for a guillotine choke during their fight in Abu Dhabi.

Makhachev, the current undisputed lightweight titleholder, is slated to headline UFC 302 next month in New Jersey, taking on former interim champion, Poirier – marking his first outing inside the Octagon this year.

Dustin Poirier was seemingly allowed to put Khabib Nurmagomedov in guillotine

And plotting a submission win over the veteran Louisiana native, who makes his third attempt to strike undisputed gold at the lightweight limit, Makhachev emphatically claimed he would finish the former with a dominant submission victory – claiming the bout would be a relatively “easy” pairing for him.

Islam Makhachev backed as "more dangerous" than Khabib Nurmagomedov by Daniel Cormier UFC

“Ever time when he (Dustin Poirier) fights the champion, somebody chokes him,” Islam Makhachev told Daniel Cormier and Chael Sonnen. “Now, I have to prepare something special. And we did, in the gym. I have something special for the next fight.”

And soon to share another common-foe with Hall of Fame inductee, Khabib Nurmagomedov in the form of Poirier, Makhachev shared an interesting insight into the former’s fight with the guillotine choke-chasing challenger back in 2019, claiming he was allowed to search for the choke, in a master ploy from the American Kickboxing Academy ace.

Khabib Nurmagomedov linked with fighting return amid alleged tax bill from Russia we might see him back in the UFC — Mandatory Credit: Jeff Bottari – Zuffa LLC

“Before the fight, I swear to God, Khabib (Nurmagomedov) told me, ‘Hey, catch me in guillotine, I have to feel [it],’” Islam Makhachev explained. “I will give him my beck and make him tired, and what we did in the locker room before the fight.”

What are your thoughts on Khabib Nurmagomedov’s pre-plan for Dustin Poirier?

Islam Makhachev planning ‘Something special’ for UFC 302 fight with Dustin Poirier: ‘I will finish’

Undisputed lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev claims he has “something special” planned for his UFC 302 title fight return against…

Undisputed lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev claims he has “something special” planned for his UFC 302 title fight return against former interim titleholder, Dustin Poirier next month – vowing to finish the Lafayette challenger.

Makhachev, the current undisputed lightweight champion, and current pound-for-pound number one ranked fighter under the banner of the organization, is slated to make his comeback next month in New Jersey, headlining against Poirier atop UFC 302.

Islam Makhachev expects easy fight with Dustin Poirier at UFC 302 I'm ready for your guillotine — Mandatory Credit: Justin White – Triple MMA

Sidelined since last October, Russian star, Makhachev turned in a one-sided first round high-kick and strikes knockout win over two-fight rival, Alexander Volkanovski – handing the former featherweight champion his first professional knockout defeat.

Islam Makhachev plans “something special” for UFC 302

Accused of likely “underestimating” his UFC 302 fight with Poirier by the Louisana veteran’s head coach, Mike Brown, Makhachev plans to finish the former with “something special” in mind for their showdown in Newark.

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

“Ever time when he (Dustin Poirier) fights the champion, somebody chokes him,” Islam Makhachev told Good Guy / Bad Guy. “Now, I have to prepare something special. And we did, in the gym. I have something special for the next fight.”

Admittedly weighing up his own fighting future ahead of his return at UFC 302, Poirier, a former interim gold holder, claimed he could potentially hang up his gloves even with a victory against Makhachev, as he enters the fight as a significant betting underdog.

Dustin Poirier weighs up retirement ahead of UFC 302 this could be my last fight — Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro – USA TODAY Sports

As for immediate plans after his title defense, Makhachev claimed he would pursue a move to the welterweight limit off the back of his fight with Poirier – as he continues to clamour for a title fight with incumbent gold holder, Leon Edwards.

Who wins at UFC 302 next month: Islam Makhachev or Dustin Poirier?

Islam Makhachev rules out fight with Max Holloway ahead of UFC 302 return: ‘I need contenders from my division’

Ahead of his return next month at UFC 302, undisputed lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev has once more turned down…

Ahead of his return next month at UFC 302, undisputed lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev has once more turned down a fight with recent BMF title winner, Max Holloway, claiming he first needs to focus on contenders from his own division.

Makhachev, the current undisputed lightweight champion and current pound-for-pound number one, is slated to headline UFC 302 at the beginning of next month in New Jersey, taking on soon-to-be common-foe, former interim titleholder, Dustin Poirier.

As for Hawaiian favorite, Holloway, the former featherweight gold holder featured on the main card of UFC 300 last month, landing a spectacular buzzer-beating knockout win over former interim lightweight champion, Justin Gaethje.

Islam Makhachev rules out title fight with Max Holloway

And weighing up the possibility of taking on Makhachev as he appears to have the pick of the bunch of title fights off the back of his symbolic title fight win over Gaethje, Holloway’s chances of fighting for gold at 155lbs have been shot down definitively by the Russian.

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“Honestly, Max (Holloway) has a job in his division,” Islam Makhachev said during an appearance on Good Guy / Bad Guy. “I don’t want to give a chance to Max because people are still talking about me not defending my belt against the lightweight guys.”

“I need some real contenders from my division,” Islam Makhachev explained. “I want to clean my division and fight for the welterweight [championship].”

And hoping to fight for the welterweight crown as mentioned, American Kickboxing Academy staple, Makhachev has vowed to take on incumbent gold holder, Leon Edwards – as soon as he completes his fight against Lafayette veteran, Poirier.

Islam Makhachev issues ultimatum to UFC I'll be ready to smash in March or see you after Ramadan — Mandatory Credit: Zuffa LLC

Last featuring at UFC 294 back in October of last year in Abu Dhabi, Makhachev turned in a dominant victory over former featherweight champion, Alexander Volkanovski in the pair’s rematch, courtesy of a high-kick KO win in the Middle East.

Who wins in a potential title fight: Islam Makhachev or Max Holloway?

Video – Islam Makhachev smashes punching machine with massive power ahead of UFC 302 return fight

Islam Makhachev showed off his striking power as he hit the punching machine ahead of his UFC 302 title…

Islam Makhachev showed off his striking power as he hit the punching machine ahead of his UFC 302 title defense against Dustin Poirier.

Although Makhachev is known for his wrestling and strength on the ground, he also has power in his hands and feet, as we saw against Alexander Volkanovski.

Ahead of his upcoming fight, Islam Makhachev hit a punching machine and it was impressive, as he finished with a score of 973, which was impressive for a lightweight.

It was impressive from Makhachev as he showed off his striking power, which fans don’t get to see all that often in his fights.

Islam Makhachev calls Dustin Poirier an easy fight

Heading into his UFC 302 title defense, Islam Makhachev is a sizeable betting favorite to defeat Dustin Poirier.

Not only does Makhachev expect to beat Poirier to defend his belt, but he says he will make it look easy as he calls Poirier an easy fight.

“Dustin, he is a warrior, legend – he has more than everybody experience in this sport,” Islam Makhachev told TMZ. “But his problem is his style. That’s the one problem this guy has. His weak point is wrestling and grappling, and I have the key for the easy fight. And if I follow the plan, I can beat him easy. My style and Khabib’s style, it’s worst style for Dustin. People who can can take him down, hold him there, it always gives him problems.”

“Dustin is a good opponent because Oliveira, Arman, I beat these guys already,” Makhachev added. “My dream fight for this division is Gaethje, but he lose already. Right now in our weight, we just have Dustin because Arman said no, Oliveira lose, Gaethje lose. We don’t have someone.”

If Makhachev does beat Poirier with ease, it’s uncertain who will be next for him.

Dustin Poirier questions if Islam Makhachev underestimates him pre-UFC 302: ‘I can finish anybody in the world’

Ahead of next month’s title showdown with undisputed lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev, former interim gold holder, Dustin Poirier has…

Ahead of next month’s title showdown with undisputed lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev, former interim gold holder, Dustin Poirier has questioned if the defending gold holder is actually underestimating the challenge he presents ahead of their UFC 302 clash.

Poirier, a former interim lightweight titleholder and the current number three ranked contender, is slated to return next month in New Jersey, taking on Russian force, Makhachev in an undisputed lightweight title clash.

Returning to the winner’s enclosure at UFC 299 back in March, Lafayette native, Poirier most recently turned in a second round knockout win over Benoit Saint Denis, rallying to land a stoppage victory over the Nimes native.

As for Makhachev, the pound-for-pound number one will feature for the first time since he turned in a first round high-kick and strikes knockout win over Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 294 back in October in the pair’s rematch.

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

Dustin Poirier questions Islam Makhachev’s mindset pre-UFC 302

And taking on Makhachev next month in Newark, Poirier, who has admittedly weighed up a retirement from the sport – win or lose against the Russian standout, questioned first and foremost, if he’s being underestimated.

“I haven’t been keeping up a whole lot but when I was at the gym, Mike Brown told me, ‘Man, i think this guy (Islam Makhachev) may be underestimating your Jiu-Jitsu and underestimating how dangerous you are.’” Dustin Poirier told MMA Fighting. “I think what he was referring to was an interview with Islam saying, ‘This is an easy fight for me.’ I was tagged in a bunch of stuff on Instagram and Twitter of him saying that.”

“And I don’t know, maybe he goes about all fights like that, but I can finish and beat anybody at 155 pounds in the world,” Dustin Poirier explained. “I really believe that. And he doesn’t have to believe it. I’m the one who has to believe it and go out there and beat his a**. I can do that.”

Who wins at UFC 302 next month: Islam Makhachev or Dustin Poirier?