Islam Makhachev eyes welterweight title fight with Colby Covington after UFC 294: ‘I want my chance, too’

Islam Makhachev plans welterweight title fight with Colby Covington UFC 294 I want my chanceSlated to headline UFC 294 next weekend in Abu Dhabi, UAE, undisputed lightweight champion, Islam Makahchev has welcomed the possibility of an immediate title fight turnaround at the welterweight limit, in the form of a championship clash against incoming title challenger, Colby Covington. Makhachev, the current undisputed lightweight champion, is set to headline UFC 294 […]

Islam Makhachev plans welterweight title fight with Colby Covington UFC 294 I want my chance

Slated to headline UFC 294 next weekend in Abu Dhabi, UAE, undisputed lightweight champion, Islam Makahchev has welcomed the possibility of an immediate title fight turnaround at the welterweight limit, in the form of a championship clash against incoming title challenger, Colby Covington.

Makhachev, the current undisputed lightweight champion, is set to headline UFC 294 later this month in the Middle East – taking on former titleholder, Charles Oliveira in a rematch one year since their vacant title showdown at the Etihad Arena. 

In their first matchup, American Kickboxing Academy standout, Makhachev submitted the former champion with a second round arm-triangle submission win, snapping the Brazilian’s record-setting 12-fight undefeated run. 

And back in February of this year, Makhachev lodged his first successful title defense as lightweight champion, knocking back pound-for-pound number one and undisputed featherweight champion, Alexander Volkanovski with a close decision victory.

Islam Makhachev envisions title fight with Colby Covington

Planning his future beyond this month’s title clash with Sao Paulo finisher, Oliveira, Makhachev has welcomed the chance to compete for welterweight gold – particularly in a fight against former interim champion, Covington.

“I don’t know what the UFC has planned, but my dream fight is for the second belt,” Islam Makhachev told ESPN during a recent interview. “Of course, I am under contract, so whatever the UFC says, I will fight, no problem, but (Leon) Edwards vs. Colby (Covington) – I really believe I can beat [them]. I look at their skills and what they have as champion and I know my skills. It’s going to be a good fight. I’m not saying I’m going to beat them easy. It’s going to be a hard, tough fight against a big guy. But I believe I can finish those guys.” 

“I gave a chance to that guy, so they have to give me a chance, too,” Islam Makhachev explained. “I gave a chance to a guy from another division to come to my weight and to try to take this belt, and he lost. I want my chance, too.” 

Who wins: Islam Makhachev or Colby Covington?

Islam Makhachev slams Charles Oliveira’s claim that the Abu Dhabi setting for UFC 294 is ‘Unfair’

Islam MakhachevReigning UFC lightweight world champion Islam Makhachev didn’t take kindly to Charles Oliveira’s claim that the Abu Dhabi setting for their long-awaited rematch is unfair. On October 21, ‘Do Bronx’ will attempt to regain the 155-pound title when the pair step inside the Octagon at UFC 294. Emanating from the UAE, Oliveira expressed his frustration […]

Islam Makhachev

Reigning UFC lightweight world champion Islam Makhachev didn’t take kindly to Charles Oliveira’s claim that the Abu Dhabi setting for their long-awaited rematch is unfair.

On October 21, ‘Do Bronx’ will attempt to regain the 155-pound title when the pair step inside the Octagon at UFC 294. Emanating from the UAE, Oliveira expressed his frustration over the bout taking place on Makhachev’s turf during a recent interview.

“[I] don’t necessarily think it’s fair, but it’s the game,” Oliveira told James Lynch. “You know, that’s where the champion is. He calls the shots, but I’m coming back for my belt.”

Getting wind of Oliveira’s comments, Islam Makhachev snapped back, letting it be known that he did not pick the location. He also reminded the former champ that he willingly went into hostile territory in February for a title tilt with featherweight king Alexander Volkanovski.

“Charles, I asked to fight in U.S. in the summer, but UFC has other plans,” Makhachev wrote on X. “I am a UFC fighter like you, never set the conditions for the UFC and fought where they offered, my last fight took place in Australia at the challenger’s backyard, simple, everything you say makes no sense.”

‘Do Bronx’ Was Offered a Rematch with Islam Makhachev in Brazil

Islam Makhachev does not hail from Abu Dhabi, but the territory has become known for heavily favoring Muslim fighters, giving them somewhat of a home-field advantage. The rematch with Oliveira will represent his fourth time competing in the UAE capital during his career.

Not long after their first fight in October 2022 where Charles Oliveira succumbed to a second-round submission, the UFC offered ‘Do Bronx’ an opportunity to run it back in his home country of Brazil. The bout was expected to take place at UFC 283 in January, but the three-month turnaround was entirely too short for Oliveira to comfortably accept. That ultimately led to Makhachev moving forward with the fight against Volkanovski at UFC 284.

Do Bronx’ finally made his return to the Octagon over the summer, scoring a stunning first-round knockout against Beneil Dariush at UFC 289 in June to reassert himself as the division’s top-ranked contender.

Joe Rogan touts Alexander Volkanovski as UFC’s No. 1 P4P fighter: ‘[Makhachev] lost that fight’

Alexander VolkanovskiLongtime UFC commentator Joe Rogan believes featherweight champ Alexander Volkanovski belongs at the top of the promotion’s P4P rankings. Since making his UFC debut in 2016, few fighters have been as dominant as Volkanovski. Despite that, ‘The Great’ finds himself firmly posited in the No. 2 spot in the UFC’s pound-for-pound rankings following a contentious […]

Alexander Volkanovski

Longtime UFC commentator Joe Rogan believes featherweight champ Alexander Volkanovski belongs at the top of the promotion’s P4P rankings.

Since making his UFC debut in 2016, few fighters have been as dominant as Volkanovski. Despite that, ‘The Great’ finds himself firmly posited in the No. 2 spot in the UFC’s pound-for-pound rankings following a contentious loss to reigning lightweight champion Islam Makhachev at UFC 284 in February. Volkanovski suffered a unanimous decision defeat in his bid to become a two-division titleholder, but many fighters and fans believe he did more than enough to dethrone the ‘Dagestani Destroyer’ in The Land Down Under.

That includes popular podcaster Joe Rogan who firmly believes that Alexander Volkanovski deserved to have his hand raised and as a result, belongs at the time of the coveted P4P list.

“He’s No. 1 pound-for-pound,” Rogan said on his podcast. “They have him as not pound-for-pound [No. 1 in the UFC] because he lost that fight [to Islam Makhachev]. I think you could make a real argument that he won that fight. I think he won the fight. In my mind, he won the fight” (h/t MMA Fighting).

The way Rogan sees it, ‘The Great’ did a better job of imposing his will and delivering damage throughout the five-round affair.

“He did more damage,” Rogan said of Volkanovski. “I think he imposed his skill set. It’s also insanely impressive that he goes up from [featherweight] to fight a massive [lightweight]. That guy is as big at [155 pounds] as anybody is, and at the end of the fight, [Volkanovski] is on top beating him up. He drops him, gets on top of him and had massive moments throughout the fight.”

Joe Rogan Believes Charles Oliveira Will Benefit From Volkanovski’s Performance Against Islam Makhachev

On October 21, Makhachev will return to defend his title against Charles Oliveira in a long-awaited rematch between the pair. ‘Do Bronx’ came up short in their 2022 meeting, suffering a second-round submission, but after seeing Volkanovski take Makhachev to the limit, a blueprint for success against the ‘Dagestani Destroyer’ could give Oliveira an advantage when it comes to reclaiming the 155-pound title.

“You kind of see vulnerability in Islam after that fight with Volkanovski,” Rogan explained. “First of all, you see how good Volkanovski really is. F*cking animal. [But] it sort of gives an air of vulnerability with Islam where before people were like, ‘This guy’s unstoppable.’”

Following Oliveira’s incredibly impressive bounce-back victory against Beneil Dariush in June, Rogan expects a much different ‘Do Bronx’ come UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi.

“Looking at Charles versus Beneil Dariush, it’s like he’s back,” Rogan said.

Sean O’Malley backs Charles Oliveira to beat Islam Makhachev at UFC 294, call out Khabib Nurmagomedov for superfight

Charles Oliveira urged to call for title fight with Khabib Nurmagomedov with a win at UFC 294Newly minted bantamweight champion, Sean O’Malley has backed former lightweight champion, Charles Oliveira to defeat the reigning division titleholder, Islam Makahchev at UFC 294 next month – in the hope of seeing a trilogy rubber match between the duo. Oliveira, the current number one ranked lightweight contender and former division champion, is slated to make […]

Charles Oliveira urged to call for title fight with Khabib Nurmagomedov with a win at UFC 294

Newly minted bantamweight champion, Sean O’Malley has backed former lightweight champion, Charles Oliveira to defeat the reigning division titleholder, Islam Makahchev at UFC 294 next month – in the hope of seeing a trilogy rubber match between the duo.

Oliveira, the current number one ranked lightweight contender and former division champion, is slated to make his return at UFC 294 in October in Abu Dhabi, UAE, taking on prior foe, Makhachev in the pair’s championship rematch.

Returning to the winner’s enclosure since dropping a second round arm-triangle submission loss to the Russian back in October of last year, Sao Paulo native, Charles Oliveira stopped the surging, Beneil Dariush at UFC 289 back in June, landing a stunning opening round ground strikes TKO win over the Iranian-born grappler.

As for Makhachev, the American Kickboxing Academy staple successfully defended his lightweight crown for the first time back in February, landing a close, unanimous decision win over pound-for-pound best and featherweight champion, Alexander Volkanovski back in February at UFC 284.

Charles Oliveira urged to pursue Khabib Nurmagomedov superfight

According to O’Malley, however, he would love to see Oliveira secure his championship with a win over Makhachev – before setting up a trilogy rubber match, or a long-anticipated fight with the retired, Khabib Nurmagomedov.

“I would love to see Charles (Oliveira) f*cking win [against Islam Makhachev at UFC 294],” Sean O’Malley said during an appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience. “That would make for a huge trilogy. Maybe call Khabib (Nurmagomedov) out.” 

Retiring from mixed martial arts competition back in October 2020, Nurmagomedov, now 35 years old, called time on his undefeated tenure with a second round triangle choke submission win over former interim champion, Justin Gaethje

Winning lightweight gold against Michael Chandler the following year, Oliveira would go on to land victories over Dustin Poirier, and the above-mentioned, Gaethje in subsequent championship fights. 

Who wins at UFC 294: Charles Oliveira or Islam Makhachev?

Charles Oliveira unhappy Islam Makhachev fight taking place in Abu Dhabi at UFC 294: ‘I don’t think it’s fair’

charles oliveiraFormer UFC lightweight champion, Charles Oliveira speaks on Islam Makhachev taking place in Abu Dhabi, again. In just under a month, fans will be treated to a matchup between the two best lightweights in the world when Oliveira and Makhachev rematch. The bout will take place on October 21, almost a year to the day […]

charles oliveira

Former UFC lightweight champion, Charles Oliveira speaks on Islam Makhachev taking place in Abu Dhabi, again.

In just under a month, fans will be treated to a matchup between the two best lightweights in the world when Oliveira and Makhachev rematch. The bout will take place on October 21, almost a year to the day from the first fight and will be the main event of UFC 294.

Last time out, Makhachev took home the win, and the belt, after sinking in an arm triangle in the second round. Even though he was champion at the time, Oliveira had to travel to Makhachev’s backyard and will have to do so again.

Charles Oliveira talks traveling to Abu Dhabi again

Talking to James Lynch, Oliveira discussed the upcoming matchup and having to travel to Abu Dhabi again. ‘Du Bronx’ does feel that it is slightly unfair, especially considering the upcoming Brazil card, but is fully focused on regaining the title.

“With twelve years in the game, I just kinda learned how to play the game,” Oliveira began. “He knew that there was a UFC [event] in Sau Paolo, so I just wanted to shoot my shot and see if it would work, but here we are.”

“I don’t necessarily think it’s fair, but it’s the game. That’s where the champion is, he calls the shots. I’m gonna back for my belt, wherever that is. To be fair, all I want is to win. However it is, however I get it done. I don’t care. I just want my hand raised.”

The fight, however long it goes should be a fun one – Oliveira has made habit of putting on thrilling fights while Makhachev himself was recently a part of a brilliant fight with Alexander Volkanovski.

Charles Oliveira talks with James Lynch

Who wins in the rematch, Charles Oliveira or Islam Makhachev?

Colby Covington blasts Islam Makhachev in latest attempt to build future UFC fight: ‘That little mongoloid’

colby covingtonUFC welterweight, Colby Covington takes shot at Islam Makhachev in latest dose of trash talk. Covington is set to challenge Leon Edwards for his 170lb title on December 12, in the main event of UFC 296. With this, you can except the American to come with his usual shtick, taking shots at Edwards and anyone […]

colby covington

UFC welterweight, Colby Covington takes shot at Islam Makhachev in latest dose of trash talk.

Covington is set to challenge Leon Edwards for his 170lb title on December 12, in the main event of UFC 296. With this, you can except the American to come with his usual shtick, taking shots at Edwards and anyone else who may get brought up.

If Covington is successful in his title bid, he has mentioned a possible fight with current lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev.

Colby Covington goads Islam Makhachev

With Covington now pursuing a fight with Makhachev, targeted trash talk can now be expected and when talking to James Lynch he labelled Makhachev scared.

“That little mongoloid’s been talking, he’s been saying some things about how he wants to come up to a real man’s division and face a real man in America’s champ,” Covington said. “So, that might present itself as well. I think that’s a big superfight and I think that’s a fight the fans want to see. We’re the same weight class. He probably weighs more than me, honestly. He probably walks around 190. He’s pretty yoked up. He’s a big-little guy that cuts all that weight to get the advantage ’cause he’s scared to fight real men like me.” (H/T MMAFighting)

After Covington made fun of Makhachev’s knockout loss to Adriano Martins, who he claimed he helped train for the fight, the 35-year-old then targeted Makhachev’s relationship with Khabib Nurmagomedov.

“Dude, there’s a lot of holes in his game. He’s talked a big game,” Covington began. “He’s tried to ride the coattails of Khabib [Nurmagomedov’s] success and what he was able to accomplish and he’s not Khabib. It’s not the same thing. Khabib was scared of me. He didn’t want to come up to welterweight because of me. So, even his daddy knows it’s not smart to come up to welterweight.”

Colby Covington talks to James Lynch

Who wins, Colby Covington or Islam Makhachev?