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Islam Makhachev refuses to fight Max Holloway in future title clash: ‘I don’t want to give him the chance’

Islam Makhachev shuts down title fight with Max Holloway I don't want to give him the chance Ahead of his UFC 302 return in June, undisputed lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev appears less than interested in hanging…

Ahead of his UFC 302 return in June, undisputed lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev appears less than interested in hanging around at the weight class beyond the summer – and even less interest in facing recently-minted BMF gold holder, Max Holloway in the future.

Makhachev, the current undisputed lightweight champion and the current pound-for-pound number one ranked fighter on the promotion’s books, is slated to make his return at the beginning of June, headlining in Newark in a title fight against former interim champion, Dustin Poirier atop a UFC 302 card.

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

As for Holloway, the surging former undisputed featherweight champion made good on his sophomore outing at the lightweight limit at UFC 300 earlier this month, landing a viral, buzzer-beating KO win over Justin Gaethje in the pair’s symbolic BMF title outing.

Islam Makhachev shuts down fight with Max Holloway

And touted as having the pick of the bunch of his next bouts, whether that be against featherweight champion, Ilia Topuria, or a lucrative rematch with Conor McGregor – Holloway’s quest for a title fight against Makhachev has already been shut down by the Russian.

Max Holloway Justin Gaethje KO UFC 300 Pros react UFC 1024x587 1

“I don’t want to give him (Max Holloway) a chance now, because I have some contenders who I have to beat,” Islam Makhachev told The New York Post. “Now, I have Dustin (Poirier). After, we’ll have Arman (Tsarukyan). I think I’ll have some [work] in my division, he has [work] in his division.

“Maybe if he wins his next fight,” Islam Makhachev explained. “Maybe [if] he beats (Ilia) Topuria, and I finish all of my two fights, maybe.”

Welcoming a slew of bouts namely against Topuria and Dublin star, McGregor in his next outing after minting himself as the BMF gold holder, Holloway confirmed a rematch with the former duel-weight champion is the most appealing clash on the horizon for him.

Islam Makhachev backed to retire in two years by Daniel Cormier uFC — Mandatory Credit: Giuseppe Cacace

As for Makhachev, the American Kickboxing Academy staple has sights fixed on fighting at welterweight after his bout with Poirier, claiming he has already cleared out the lightweight division of rightful contenders.

Would you like to see Max Holloway challenge Islam Makhachev in the future?

Islam Makhachev calls for division move after UFC 302 return: ‘I already beat everyone at lightweight’

Booked to make his return at UFC 302 at the beginning of June, Islam Makhachev claims if he dispatches…

Booked to make his return at UFC 302 at the beginning of June, Islam Makhachev claims if he dispatches incoming foe, Dustin Poirier in Newark, he immediately wants to test welterweight waters, claiming he’s already cleared out the lightweight division.

Makhachev, the current undisputed lightweight titleholder and current pound-for-pound number one, is slated to make his first outing of the year in June, headlining UFC 302 in a title defense against former interim gold holder, Poirier.

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

Most recently headlining UFC 294, Russian standout, Makhachev dispatched ex-featherweight kingpin, Alexander Volkanovski in the pair’s title rematch, landing a first round high-kick and strikes KO win.

Islam Makhachev eyes welterweight move after UFC 302

And despite finding himself linked with a whole slew of potential future fights at 155lbs, namely a rematch with Arman Tsarukyan, a clash with fellow European talent, Mateusz Gamrot – or a bout with recent BMF title winner, Max Holloway, Makhachev insists he wants a welterweight move after UFC 302.

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

“Honestly, I don’t have any exciting fights, because Dustin (Poirier) has just [a] one fight winning streak,” Islam Makhachev told The New York Post. “And, we have Arman (Tsarukyan) – but I’ve already beat this guy.”

“I don’t have some job in my division, in my opinion, honestly,” Islam Makhachev explained. “And I think I have chance, they [the UFC] have to give me the chance for a second belt. Because I’ve already beat all the all (sic) guys.”

As for incoming foe, Poirier, the Lousiana native will look to finally capture undisputed lightweight spoils at the third time of trying – earning his title tilt with a second round knockout win over French contender, Benoit Saint Denis in the co-main event of UFC 299 back in March.

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

Winning vacant lightweight gold back in 2022, Makhachev snapped the division-record winning run of former champion, Charles Oliveira in the pair’s long-anticipated showcase, locking up an arm-triangle submission win.

Would you like to see Islam Makhachev fight for welterweight gold after UFC 302?

Islam Makhachev predicts dominant win over Dustin Poirier at UFC 302: ‘I will take his back and choke him’

Officially booked for his first Octagon outing this year for the first time since last October, undisputed lightweight champion,…

Officially booked for his first Octagon outing this year for the first time since last October, undisputed lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev has vowed to fight off any potential submission attempts from incoming foe, Dustin Poirier at UFC 302 in June, before wrapping up his own stoppage win from his back.

Makhachev, the current undisputed lightweight champion and pound-for-pound number one, has been sidelined since October of last year, most recently ending his two-fight rivalry with ex-champion, Alexander Volkanovski in a first round high-kick and strikes KO win.

As for former interim gold holder, Poirier, the veteran lightweight staple returned to winning ways at UFC 299 back in March, landing a rallying second round KO win of his own against French contender, Benoit Saint-Denis, before campaigning for a title fight with Makhachev.

And receiving official confirmation of his comeback against Poirier at UFC 302 in June in Newark, Makhachev looks to successfully defend his 155lbs crown for the third time consecutively – in a first outing against a lightweight challenger.

Islam Makhachev predicts submission win at UFC 302

Providing his own prediction for his UFC 302 title fight topper return, Makhachev vowed to fend off any potential guillotine choke attempts from Lafayette striker, Poirier, before wrapping up his own submission win from his back.

“Same thing – I will take him (Dustin Poirier) down, he will try to give me guillotine,” Islam Makhachev told MMA Junkie during a recent interview. “And I will take his back and choke him.”

Attempting to mint himself as the undisputed lightweight champion at the third time of trying, Louisiana native, Poirier struck himself interim gold back in 2019 with a unanimous decision win over two-time foe, Max Holloway.

Meeting Makhachev’s close friend, training partner and coach, Khabib Nurmagomedov in a title unification bout that same year, Poirier dropped a third round rear-naked choke loss in a devastating defeat.

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

Working his way back to a title fight with common-foe, Charles Oliveira during the Brazilian’s reign back in 2021, Poirier started well against the Sao Paulo finisher before succumbing to a third round standing rear-naked choke in their main event fight.

Who wins at UFC 302 in New Jersey: Islam Makhachev or Dustin Poirier?

The 4 Best Opponents for Max Holloway After UFC 300 Win

Everybody is talking about Max Holloway. The former featherweight champ returned to action at Saturday’s UFC 300, taking on Justin Gaethje in a lightweight…

Breaking – Islam Makhachev set to fight Dustin Poirier in championship clash at UFC 302 in New Jersey

Undisputed lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev is set for his return to the Octagon for the first time this year…

Undisputed lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev is set for his return to the Octagon for the first time this year – booking a title fight defense against former interim champion, Dustin Poirier on June 1. from the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.

Makhachev, the current undisputed lightweight champion and the current pound-for-pound number one ranked fighter under the banner of the promotion, has been sidelined since he headlined UFC 294 back in October, successfully ending his rivalry with Alexander Volkanovski with a first round high-kick knockout win.

As for the above-mentioned ex-interim gold holder, Poirier, the Lafayette striker returned to winning ways in big style last month at UFC 299 in Miami, Florida, turning in a rallying second round knockout win over French contender, Benoit Saint Denis.

Islam Makhachev takes on Dustin Poirier at UFC 302

Following the culmination of tonight’s massive UFC 300 card, promotional CEO, Dana White confirmed the UFC 302 card in June would be topped by a lightweight championship clash between Islam Makhachev, and Dustin Poirier.

Prior to his victory over Volkanovski in October, in February of last year, Makhachev turned in a close decision win over the Australian – successfully defending his crown for the first time since he won vacant spoils against tonight’s feature, Charles Oliveira in a submission win in October the year prior.

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

Before his knockout win over Nimes contender, Saint Denis, Poirier suffered a hellacious second round KO loss of his own to Justin Gaethje in the pair’s symbiotic BMF title fight.

And minting himself as the interim lightweight champion back in 2019, Poirier rematched newly-crowned BMF gold holder, Max Holloway in Atlanta, Georgia, turning in a unanimous decision win over the Hawaiian to win his first Octagon championship.

Islam Makhachev backed to run the gauntlet in 2024 with fights against Oliveira Poirier and Gaethje — Mandatory Credit: Giuseppe Cacace

UFC 302 takes place on June 1. from the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey – with an undisputed lightweight title fight between Islam Makhachev and Dustin Poirier set to take headlining honors.

Who wins at UFC 302 in June: Islam Makhachev or Dustin Poirier?

Islam Makhachev snaps back at Max Holloway with some facts: ‘Do your homework before talking trash’

Islam Makhachev snapped back at former featherweight champion Max Holloway. Earlier this month, ‘Blessed’ criticized the lightweight titleholder for…

Islam Makhachev snapped back at former featherweight champion Max Holloway.

Earlier this month, ‘Blessed’ criticized the lightweight titleholder for choosing to sit on the sidelines rather than opting to fight the next man in line for a shot at the 155-pound crown, Justin Gaethje.

“You should’ve fought Justin in February,” Holloway said on the MIGHTYcast with Demetrious Johnson. “Why did the guy you knocked out turn around so fast and fight in February? I mean, you were healthy. You should’ve turned around and came [back in] February.

Makhachev didn’t take kindly to Holloway butting his nose into a division he’s not part of and encouraged the BMF challenger to do a little homework the next time he wants to run his mouth.

Islam Makhachev fires back at Max Holloway

“For the record: since 2021 I fought 7 times, while Holloway did 5 fights and Justin just 4. Do your homework before talking trash about your champ,” Makhachev wrote on X.

Holloway’s five fights since 2021 have come against Calvin Kattar, former interim champion Yair Rodriguez, Arnold Allen, The Korean Zombie, and ex-featherweight king Alexander Volkavnoski. Gaethjes’ four fights were against Michael Chandler, Rafael Fiziev, Dustin Poirier, and then-lightweight champion Charles Oliveira.

Makhachev may have fought more, but you certainly can’t argue with the strength of schedule for ‘The Highlight’ and Holloway.

Max Holloway Looking to bank a few more bucks for his uFC 300 assignment

This Saturday night (April 13), Max Holloway will return to the Octagon at UFC 300 for a BMF title clash with the holder of the promotion’s bragging rights belt, Justin Gaethje.

Despite there being two legitimate championship fights atop the loaded lineup in Sin City, Holloway’s scrap with Gaethje has been at the forefront of marketing the landmark event — something that has not gone unnoticed.

“Every time I see an ad on UFC for UFC 300, it’s me and Justin,” Holloway remarked during Wednesday’s UFC media event. “So, at the end of the day, [my manager] Tim, Daniel, someone needs to get on the phone with Dana White, Hunter [Campbell], and we gotta talk numbers about some things. Because it’s looking kinda funny.”

Considering UFC CEO Dana White just dubbed ‘Blessed’ the “greatest featherweight of all time,” it would appear as though all the bargaining chips are on Holloway’s side of the table.