Islam Makhachev | UFC Betting Sites - The Best MMA Online Bookies

Islam Makhachev exposes UFC rival Michael Chandler for picking against him in fights: ‘Shoutout my loyal hater’

Islam Makhachev claims Michael Chandler is a loyal hater for picking against him UFC If the McGregor fight doesn’t take priority, Gaethje will face the winner of Makhachev and Charles Oliveira for the UFC lightweight title. ‘The Highlight’ is fresh off a sensational knockout win over Dustin Poirier in the main event of UFC 291. While oddsmakers currently have Gaethje as a +425 underdog against Makhachev, and Oliveira already […]

If the McGregor fight doesn’t take priority, Gaethje will face the winner of Makhachev and Charles Oliveira for the UFC lightweight title. ‘The Highlight’ is fresh off a sensational knockout win over Dustin Poirier in the main event of UFC 291.

While oddsmakers currently have Gaethje as a +425 underdog against Makhachev, and Oliveira already holds a stoppage win over him, Chandler backs his fellow American to beat both.

Talking on his YouTube channel, Chandler broke down his thought process and proclaimed Gaethje to become champion next year.

“Justin Gaethje is no longer just a pugilist who goes out there and swings for the fences and wants to brawl,” Chandler said on his YouTube channel. “Justin Gaethje is on a quest to win a world title, and I think Justin Gaethje will go out there and win a world title. Whether it’s Makhachev or Oliveira, Gaethje’s going to get that title fight next.

I think Justin Gaethje is the UFC lightweight champion by the first quarter of next year. I think he beats Islam. I think he beats Oliveira. Justin Gaethje has cleaned up. He already had all the attributes, he already had the cardio, the speed, the power, he’s got great wrestling defense. He already had all the attributes. But now, him honing in those skills, it’s gonna be tough for one of those dudes to beat him, I think.” (BJPenn.com)

Islam Makhachev exposes Michael Chandler

In response to this, Makhachev would make a post to Twitter calling out Chandler for picking against him, and supplied screenshots of all the times that Chandler has done it in the past

‘Shoutout to my loyal haters’- Islam Makhachev

Does Justin Gaethje beat either Islam Makhachev or Chalres Oliveira?

Chael Sonnen claims Justin Gaethje should fight Islam Makhachev at UFC 294: ‘He’s ready to go’

Chael Sonnen is very impressed with Justin Gaethje’s recent performance over Dustin Poirier and is fully convinced that Gaethje is not only ready for UFC 294, but that Gaethje should take Charles Oliveira’s place in fighting Islam Makhachev for the lightweight title. UFC 291 was an absolutely magnificent card, headlined by one of the most […]

UFC 291 was an absolutely magnificent card, headlined by one of the most desired rematches in years. Justin Gaethje and Dustin Poirier stepped into the octagon and delivered a truly fantastic fight. Things were so competitive in the first round, and it all looked like things could go either way. The second round started similarly to the first, with neither fighter really gaining a true upper hand. Then, as soon as the round began, it was almost just as quickly that it was over.

Justin Gaethje landed the most picture-perfect headkick to send Poirier crashing to the ground. He followed up the kick with a ferocious hammer fist, and the referee Herb Dead didn’t waste any time: as he soon came baseball sliding in to protect Poirier from more damage and to stop the fight.

Justin Gaethje reigns victorious in the rematch, but now Chael Sonnen is eager to see him quickly turn things around for a title match at UFC 294

So, Justin Gaethje would prevail in the infamous rematch fans had been dying to see for so long. Now, even though he and Poirier are 1-1, many fans, and even Chael Sonnen himself would love to see Gaethje make the quick turnaround for a title fight.

“I’m not positive that Charles Oliveira wants to do that fight,” Sonnen speculated on the ESPN post-fight show. “I don’t want to be a spoiler but I read his Twitter account, he’s saying he wants to fight Conor McGregor next. And the only reason I bring that to you: we at minimum have a backup. We thought that Justin Gaethje or [Dustin] Poirier, whoever came out would be the No. 1 contender. We also thought they’d be hurt. We thought this was going to be a bludgeon. We thought they were gonna be swapping stories in the hospital.”

“This was a surprise finish,” Chael Sonnen continued “He’s (Justin Gaethje is) surprisingly fresh… I think he’s ready to go in.”

“The Charles Oliveira vs. [Islam] Makhachev fight was made because nobody thought — whoever won this fight was not going to make a quick turn to go back,” Anthony Smith added on-air during the post-fight show. “And everyone knows that Gaethje does not like short-notice fights, he likes a lot of time to prepare, he likes a lot of rest. I think that if the matchmakers had known this would possibly be the result, they may have waited a little bit longer to match that Oliveira fight.”

Even Justin Gaethje himself seemed pretty open to the idea of being a backup for the Islam Makhachev and Charles Oliveira fight, something that is extremely uncharacteristic for him. “I’d want to go watch it, yeah,” he said when asked about Makhachev vs. Oliveira. “I don’t think I’d want to be a backup. Unless they pay me a s— ton of money, then maybe. Maybe.”

Even saying maybe is a far cry from what Gaethje would usually say: which would have been something along the lines of an emphatic no. So, things are looking very interesting in the lightweight division now. Poirier and Justin Gaethje will need to settle their infamous rivalry with a trilogy fight one day, and Gaethje is now a clear-cut number-one contender for the title.

Who would you like to see Justin Gaethje fight next?

Islam Makhachev sits as betting favorite over Charles Oliveira ahead of UFC 294 title rematch

Following the recent announcement of a lightweight title rematch between Islam Makhachev and former division titleholder, Charles Oliveira for UFC 294 in October, the Russian has opened and is currently sitting comfortably as a distinct betting favorite to successfully emerge from the United Arab Emirates with his championship in tow. Makhachev, the current undisputed lightweight […]

Makhachev, the current undisputed lightweight champion, has been sidelined from the Octagon since he headlined UFC 284 back in February in Perth, Australia – landing a successful title defense in a unanimous decision win over featherweight titleholder and pound-for-pound number one, Alexander Volkanovski.

As for Sao Paulo finishing ace, Oliveira the Brazilian returned to the Octagon at UFC 288 back in June, scoring a first round knockout win over Beneil Dariush, finishing the Iranian with a slew of ground strikes.

The win propelled Oliveira back to the winner’s enclosure following a vacant lightweight title fight loss to the previously mentioned, Islam Makhachev at UFC 280 last October in Abu Dhabi.

And ahead of their UFC 294 title re-run in October, across a slew of markets, Islam Makhachev has opened as a large -290 betting favorite to beat Oliveira – with the Brazilian currently sat as a +250 betting underdog.

Many best apple pay casinos offer wagering and betting on a host of events, including combat sports, if you’re looking to place some money down on this fall’s long-awaited title rematch between Islam Makhachev and Charles Oliveira.

Snapping the division-best winning run of Oliveira at UFC 280 back in October of last year, Islam Makhachev, in his first title challenge under the banner of the promotion, submitted the Sao Paulo grappling ace with a stunning second round arm-triangle choke in Abu Dhabi.

Recovering from a niggling injury ahead of a planned return against the aforenoted, Dariush back in May, Oliveira would return in spectacular fashion the following month in Canada – snapping his winless run in ‘The Great White North’ with a stunning opening round knockout win.

Halting the surge of the Kings MMA staple in his return to competition, Chute Boxe MMA contender, Oliveira utilized his grappling in the early goings, before turning on the pressure on the feet – dropping the Iranian en route to a ground strikes TKO win.

Interestingly to boot, Islam Makhachev opened, maintained, and closed as a significant betting favorite over Oliveira in their first pairing in October of last year in the MIddle East – en route to his second round title-clinching performance against the Brazilian.

A perennial underdog throughout his recent UFC run, Oliveira managed to land vacant spoils against Michael Chandler back in 2021 with a rallying second round KO win.

In December of that year, Oliveira closed as a betting underdog against former interim lightweight champion, Dustin Poirier – submitting the Louisiana native with a standing rear-naked choke back in the third round.

And despite losing his title to the scales at UFC 274 in May of last year, Oliveira – once again closing as a betting underdog, defeating another former interim titleholder, Justin Gaethje with a first round rear-naked choke in enemy territory.

Colby Covington plans blockbuster UFC title fight with Islam Makhachev: ‘I beat him from pillar to post’

Ahead of his expected undisputed welterweight title siege later this year, former interim champion, Colby Covington has welcomed a future showcase against lightweight kingpin, Islam Makhachev – describing the hypothetical bout an “easy” clash for him. Covington, the current number two ranked welterweight contender, has been sidelined from active competition since he headlined UFC 272 […]

Covington, the current number two ranked welterweight contender, has been sidelined from active competition since he headlined UFC 272 back in March of last year, returning to the winner’s enclosure in a unanimous decision win over arch-rival, the now-retired Jorge Masvidal.

As for Makhachev, the Russian grappling ace headlined UFC 284 back in February, successfully defending his lightweight crown against his featherweight counterpart, Alexander Volkanovski in a close unanimous judging success.

And earlier this month, the American Kickboxing Academy staple was announced as the headliner of UFC 284 in October in Abu Dhabi, UAE – taking on former champion, Charles Oliveira in the pair’s title rematch.

Despite yet to book his own respective comeback, outspoken Clovis native, Covington is expected to co-headline UFC 295 in November against incumbent welterweight titleholder, Leon Edwards at Madison Square Garden.

And furthermore, if he strikes gold against the Birmingham native, Covington has welcomed the possibility of a future title defense against Sambo specialist, Makhachev next.

Colby Covington welcomes potential Islam Makhachev title fight at welterweight

“I love it, boys,” Colby Covington told Submission Radio of a potential fight with Islam Makhachev. “I mean, if you look at the storyline, you know, you got the USA versus Russia angle. I think the fight sells. It’s a big fight, you know – it’s not a competitive fight. I win it going away, I beat him pillar to post.”

“He can’t hang with me in the wrestling,” Colby Covington explained. “He definitely can’t strike with me, I trained the last guy that knocked him out (Adriano Martins) and another southpaw that I trained to prepare for that fight so, you know. It’s an easy fight – it’s Rocky 4 story. Rocky versus (Ivan) Drago. Let’s get it on. If he wants his business, yeah, oh man, he’s in for a rude awakening, boys. I will say, that’s a big fight. So, that’s an exciting one. We’ll see what happens.”

Justin Gaethje relishes UFC title fight with Islam Makhachev: ‘I know he’s not Khabib, and I want to prove that’

UFC lightweight superstar Justin Gaethje has sounded off about what he believes is the biggest challenge for the UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev. Gaethje is set to fight next weekend at UFC 291, where he has the possibility to become the next BMF champion when he rematches Dustin Poirier. Their first fight will always live […]

UFC lightweight superstar Justin Gaethje has sounded off about what he believes is the biggest challenge for the UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev.

Gaethje is set to fight next weekend at UFC 291, where he has the possibility to become the next BMF champion when he rematches Dustin Poirier. Their first fight will always live on as a legendary battle and was an instant classic. Fans can only hope their second fight plays out the same way, but given the two fighters’ skills and style, there’s practically no doubt that it will.

In an interview with CBS Sports’ Shakiel Mahjouri, Justin Gaethje was asked what he thinks is Islam Makhachev’s “biggest challenge” and he didn’t hesitate in his response.

Justin Gaethje talks about Islam Makhachev’s biggest challenge

When asked about the UFC lightweight champion and what might be his biggest challenge, Gaethje had some very good points to be made. First, he said the obvious: that Alexander Volkanovski would be his biggest challenge so far.

“If we’re going off what we know, then it’s going to be Volkanovski because he already fought him and it was a really close fight,” Justin Gaethje told Mahjouri.

However, Gaethje would also bring up a really good point. Makhachev has faced Oliveira, yes. But not Dustin Poirier and himself. Justin Gaethje and Dustin Poirier are no doubt the next greatest fighters in the division besides Oliveira. And, with the skill level that the upper echelon of the lightweight division possesses, any fight can really go any way. “I’ve never fought him, Poirier’s never fought him. I guess if you want to say something it would be (the guy that knocked Islam Makhachev out in the past). I think Volkanovski is the obvious answer for now.”

“I can’t wait to get in there (with Islam Makhachev), I know for a fact he’s not Khabib (Nurmagomedov) and I want to prove that,” Justin Gaethje concluded.

How do you think a Justin Gaethje vs. Islam Makhachev fight would play out?

Leon Edwards backed to defeat Islam Makhachev in future UFC title clash: ‘It’s a really tough fight for him’

Linked in recent weeks with a future welterweight title fight against lightweight kingpin, Islam Makhachev, Leon Edwards has been backed to pose a massive threat to the Russian by former division contender, Ben Askren. Edwards, the current undisputed welterweight champion, has been sidelined from the Octagon since he headlined UFC 286 back in March in […]

Edwards, the current undisputed welterweight champion, has been sidelined from the Octagon since he headlined UFC 286 back in March in London, turning in his second career win over former pound-for-pound number one, Kamaru Usman in the pair’s title trilogy rubber match.

The Birmingham native had been called out by Makhachev for a welterweight title fight at UFC 294 in October in Abu Dhabi, UAE, however, the latter has since booked a lightweight title defense against Charles Oliveira in a championship re-run on the Middle East card.

Leon Edwards, who has yet to book his own Octagon return, has been linked with a comeback in the co-main event of UFC 295 in November, in a title fight against former interim champion, Colby Covington at Madison Square Garden.

Ben Askren picks Leon Edwards to topple Islam Makhachev

However, according to former ONE Championship and Bellator MMA gold holder, Askren, Edwards’ ability would pose a massive problem for Makhachev – with the former going as far as claiming the welterweight titleholder would likely defeat the Russian in they fought.

“Man, Leon Edwards, he’s gotten so much better,” Ben Askren said on an episode of Funky & The Champ. “I’ve been really impressed by him. I think it’s a really tough fight for (Islam) Makhachev. It really is. He (Edwards) can stuff takedowns, he can battle, strike really clean. Yes, it’s a good fight, I’m in.”

“I’d probably pick Leon, honestly,” Askren explained. “After the last (Kamaru) Usman fight, I mean, you could just see even from two Usman fights ago, he did such a better job of like, battling in the wrestling position and dictating it to be more of a striking fight. If you could do that against Usman… He’s just bigger and stronger (than Makhachev). If Usman couldn’t push him aroun, I have a hard time thinking Makhachev is going to.” (Transcribed by MMA News)