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Islam Makhachev welcomes fight with Dustin Poirier ahead of expected UFC 294 return in October

Despite substantial links to a title rematch with Charles Oliveira in his Octagon return later this year, undisputed lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev has welcomed the possibility of a title defense against former interim gold holder, Dustin Poirier next. Makhachev, the current undisputed lightweight champion, most recently headlined UFC 284 back in February, successfully defending the […]

Makhachev, the current undisputed lightweight champion, most recently headlined UFC 284 back in February, successfully defending the title in a unanimous decision win over Alexander Volkanovski – besting the featherweight champion in Perth, Australia.

Winning the vacant lightweight crown against former champion, the aforenoted, Oliveira back in October of last year, Makhachev submitted the Brazilian on ‘Fight Island’.

And despite the former gold holder’s stunning return to the winner’s enclosure at UFC 289 earlier this month in his blistering win over Beneil Dariush, Makhachev has played down the chances he actually grants him a title rematch next.

Islam Makhachev welcomes fresh fight with Dustin Poirier next

In terms of next opponents for Makhachev, the Russian has weighed up the possibility that he fights former interim champion, Dustin Poirier next – with the Lafayette native slated to return to the Octagon next month.

“I don’t know,” Islam Makhachev said of his next opponent during a recent interview. “Maybe (Dustin) Poirier. “He has a big name in the UFC. Well – I can’t say for sure. Dariush lost, everything turned upside-down. I can’t say anything for now.”

Booked to return to the Octagon in the main event of UFC 291 at the end of July, Dustin Poirier, the current #2 ranked lightweight will rematch fellow former interim champion, Justin Gaethje in Salt Lake City, Utah – with the pairing also clashing for the symbolic BMF championship.

Poirier successfully returned to winning-ways at UFC 281 back in November of last year at Madison Square Garden, submitting former vacant title challenger, Michael Chandler with a third round rear-naked choke.

Islam Makhachev plays down rematch with Charles Oliveira next: ‘I want a new name on my résumé’

Islam Makhachev has played down the possibility that he fights former undisputed lightweight champion, Charles Oliveira in his Octagon return in October, claiming the UFC is also still undecided on whom will challenge for gold next. Makhachev, the current undisputed lightweight champion, has been earmarked to headline UFC 294 in October in Abu Dhabi, UAE, […]

Makhachev, the current undisputed lightweight champion, has been earmarked to headline UFC 294 in October in Abu Dhabi, UAE, however, has yet to be official booked against a title challenger.

Sidelined since he headlined UFC 284 back in February of this year, Islam Makhachev defeated featherweight champion, Alexander Volkanovski in a unanimous decision victory in Perth, Australia.

Linked heavily with a title fight rematch the aforenoted, Oliveira off the back of UFC 289 earlier this month – Sao Paulo finisher, Oliveira managed to retain his rank as number one contender at 155 pounds, defeating Beneil Dariush with a stunning opening round ground strikes TKO win.

Islam Makhachev plays down potential rematch with Charles Oliveira

Expected to fight Oliveira in a title rematch defense next, Makhachev has now, however, played down chances he actually faces the Brazilian again.

I was in the USA, met with the UFC, I asked for a fight in the summer,” Islam Makahchev said during a recent interview. “But, they told me that I wouldn’t have time to fight in Abu Dhabi, if I had a fight in the summer. They have a plan to organize a fight for me in Abu Dhabi.”

“The fight [with Charles Oliveira and Beneil Dariush] was good,” Islam Makhachev explained. “Oliveira won, but I was rooting for Dariush. I thought it would be a new challenge for me. Dariush had eight wins in a row. I don’t know. I can’t say yet if my next fight will be a rematch against Charles. We have to wait. Now, Justin (Gaethje) and Dustin (Poirier) will fight, and then the UFC will decide.”

In terms of preferred opponents, Russian wrestling ace, Makhachev claimed he wanted a fresh name and a new challenger to his lightweight throne.

“Of course, I want a new name on my résumé,” Islam Makhachev explained. “It’ll be better for me. If Oliveira will not fight me now, everyone will say that I’m avoiding him. I never choose my opponents. I will fight anyone the UFC gives me. I don’t think he can do anything. I’m not afraid of his grappling like the rest of the fighters. I can take him down at any time” (Transcribed by MMA Mania)

Arman Tsarukyan lines up UFC title rematch with Islam Makhachev: ‘I’m gonna stop him, I believe in myself’

UFC lightweight Arman Tsarukyan sends message to Islam Makhachev following n his victory at UFC Fight night Vegas this past weekend. At just 26-years-old, Tsarukyan is one of lightweight’s best talents and has been tipped for success since entering the promotion. Fantastic grappling, nice kicking game and just a generally solid all-round fighter, Tsarukyan has […]

UFC lightweight Arman Tsarukyan sends message to Islam Makhachev following n his victory at UFC Fight night Vegas this past weekend.

At just 26-years-old, Tsarukyan is one of lightweight’s best talents and has been tipped for success since entering the promotion. Fantastic grappling, nice kicking game and just a generally solid all-round fighter, Tsarukyan has supposedly struggled to get big name opponents. This past weekend ‘Ahalkalakets’ had to settle for unranked Joaquim Silva, coming in as a -1100 favrioute and ultimately stopping Silva in the third round.

Tsarukyan seems desperate for a big fight, and following his win called out pretty much everyone who is ranked in front of him.

Arman Tsarukyan eyes Islam Makhachev rematch

No ranked No.8, Tsarukyan is potentially just two or three wins away from a title fight, and with current form even in a over year it could very likely come against reigning 155lb ruler, Makhachev.

Tsarukyan and Makhachev have squared off before, fighting in April of 2019, which was the Arminaian’s UFC debut. While in a losing effort, Tsarukyan fought well and made it a competitive scrap, with many believing that he was Makhachev’s toughest test before coming champion.

Now a rematch is within spitting distance and Tsarukyan is fired up for it.

Definitely I have a message (for Makhachev). Islam, I’m coming, I’m coming for you,” Tsarukyan said to Full Send MMA. “The rematch definitely goes good. I think fight of the year, maybe, because my skills is good, his skills is good. If I’m gonna have a full training camp, I’m gonna stop him because I believe in myself.”

Arman Tsarukyan talks to Full Send MMA following his with over Joaquim Silva at UFC Vegas

Who do you want to see Arman Tsarukyan fight next? How far is he from a title shot?

Michael Bisping hopes for UFC title win for Charles Oliviera in Islam Makhachev rematch: ‘I would love to see that’

Former undisputed middleweight champion and Hall of Fame inductee, Michael Bisping has called for a title rematch between Islam Makhachev and Brazilian favorite, Charles Oliveira later this year – hoping for a victory for the latter, in order to set up a trilogy rubber match between the duo. First meeting back in the main event […]

First meeting back in the main event of UFC 280 back in October of last year in Abu Dhabi, UAE – Oliveira saw his division-best 12-fight winning streak come to a crashing halt, dropping a second round arm-triangle submission loss in the pair’s vacant lightweight title fight.

However, returning to the Octagon last weekend in the co-main event of UFC 289 in Vancouver, Canada – Oliveira secured a stunning win over the streaking, Beneil Dariush, stopping the Iranian with a slew of opening round ground strikes in ‘The Great White North’

Immediately calling for a title rematch with Makahchev in the wake of his victory against Dariush, Oliveira’s suggestion was supported by UFC president, Dana White, who admitted that he was excited to see the duo fight once more.

Michael Bisping hopes for trilogy between Islam Makhachev and Charles Oliveira

And according to UFC color-commentator, Michael Bisping, the Manchester veteran would relish the opportunity to see a rematch – leaning toward a win for Brazilian fan-favorite finisher, Oliveira.

“Currently, the wins that he (Charles Oliveira) has on his winning streak are better than Islam’s (Makhachev),” Michael Bisping said on his YouTube channel. “But still, who cares? Because Islam beat him inside the Octagon and he is the champion of the goddamn world.”

“Who wins? The way Charles fights and walks his opponents down is very, very dangerous,” Bisping explained. “However, that allows him to get caught. That’s why he’s lost against Islam. That’s why he has so many finishes but it’s also why he lost some fights back in the past. So I don’t know. It could go down the exact same way or we could see ‘and new’ we could see Charles Oliviera. And I would love to see that. I would love to see that because we get a trilogy and that would just be phenomenal. It really would.” (Transcribed by MMA Fighting)

Successfully defending the undisputed lightweight title back in February at UFC 284 in Perth, Australia – Makhachev landed a unanimous decision win over his featherweight counterpart, Alexander Volkanovski.

Israel Adesanya reveals conspiracy theory that Abu Dhabi played part in Islam Makhachev’s win at UFC 284

Undisputed middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya has shed light on a conspiracy theory which has surfaced, claiming that lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev was awared a victory over Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 284 back in February, due to the organization’s growing relationship with Abu Dhabi and the Middle East. Adesanya, the current undisputed middleweight champion under the […]

Adesanya, the current undisputed middleweight champion under the banner of the UFC, most recently featured at UFC 287 back in April of this year, successfully reclaiming divisional gold with a stunning second round KO win over arch-rival, Alex Pereira.

Yet to book his first attempted title defense as part of his second title reign, Israel Adesanya has been earmarked to return to the Octagon – potentially in September of this year, taking on the victor of an official title-eliminator between former champion, Robert Whittaker, and the surging Dricus du Plessis – who meet at UFC 290 next month during International Fight Week.

As for Makhachev, controversy initially surrounded his Perth, Australia win over Volkanovski back in February – with lightweight challenger, Dan Hooker accusing him of using an illegal IV to rehydrate following weigh-ins.

Israel Adesanya reveals conspiracy theory regarding UFC 284 back in February

And according to Adesanya, a conspiracy theory is doing the rounds, suggesting that it was in the best interest of the UFC for Makhachev to defeat Volkanovski ‘Down Under’, due to their growing relationship with Abu Dhabi and officials in the United Arab Emirates.

“There’s a conspiracy that Chance – my boy, Chance kind of put me on to,” Israel Adesanya said during an appearance on FLAGRANT. “Cause Volk (Alexander Volkanovski) – I was in Perth, I was right there – he’s a great fighter, you know from that side, [the] Dagestanis, they’re f*cking awesome at their wrestling and whatnot. But this guy has a myth, and Alex f*cked him up – I didn’t say this, Chance said this – I’m just paraphrasing.”

“He said like, ‘Look at the movement right now with ‘Fight Island’, Abu Dhabi, the stake that they have in the UFC, it pays them to have a champ that’s from that side of the world.’” (Transcribed by MMA News)

Charles Oliveira urges Islam Makhachev to accept rematch on UFC Brazil card: ‘Why doesn’t he come fight in November’

Off the back of a stellar performance at UFC 289 over the course of the weekend, former undisputed lightweight champion, Charles Oliveira has urged arch-rival and current titleholder, Islam Makhachev to secure a rematch with him on enemy territory in Brazil. Oliveira, the current #1 ranked lightweight contender, co-headlined UFC 289 over the course of […]

Oliveira, the current #1 ranked lightweight contender, co-headlined UFC 289 over the course of the weekend in Vancouver, Canada – returning to the winner’s enclosure in a one-sided opening round ground strikes TKO win over the streaking, Beneil Dariush in ‘The Great White North’.

CHARLES OLIVEIRA FINISHES BENEIL DARIUSH

THE CHAMPION HAS A NAME pic.twitter.com/opzXk0yTSB

— Charles Oliveira Stan (@MMA_Burner941) June 11, 2023

As for Makhachev, the Russian standout managed to successfully land the vacant lightweight title against Charles Oliveira at UFC 280 back in October of last year in Abu Dhabi, UAE – submitting the Sao Paulo grappler with a stunning second round arm-triangle submission win.

Returning to the Octagon back in February in the main event of UFC 284 in Perth, Australia – Makhachev managed to land a unanimous decision win over featherweight champion, Alexander Volkanovski, narrowly defeating the Australian over the course of five rounds.

Charles Oliveira has been backed to rematch Islam Makhachev later this year

Reminding Oliveira of the outcome from their matchup last year, Makhachev, who is earmarked to headline UFC 294 in October in the Middle East again – has been tied to a rematch with the former following his win at UFC 289 over Dariush.

Suggesting a return to his native Sao Paulo this November – as part of a card which is currently targeted to feature a heavyweight headliner between Jailton Almeida and Curtis Blaydes, Oliveira urged Makhachev to meet him in his native Brazil.

“When I was the champion, I went to defend my title in his land (sic),” Charles Oliveira told MMA Fighting’s podcast, Trocacao Franca during a recent interview. “He (Islam Makhachev) said at the press conference he wanted to fight in Brazil, so why don’t he come fight in November in Brazil?”