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Islam Makhachev dreams of adding Leon Edwards’ welterweight title to his collection

Reigning UFC lightweight world champion Islam Makhachev has his sights set on adding another belt to his collection. Makhachev climbed to the top of the 155-pound mountain in October, scoring a second-round submission against one of the promotion’s most prolific finishers, Charles Oliveira. Since then, Makhachev has successfully defended his title against featherweight titleholder and […]

Reigning UFC lightweight world champion Islam Makhachev has his sights set on adding another belt to his collection.

Makhachev climbed to the top of the 155-pound mountain in October, scoring a second-round submission against one of the promotion’s most prolific finishers, Charles Oliveira. Since then, Makhachev has successfully defended his title against featherweight titleholder and P4P great Alexander Volkanovski. If things go according to plan for the Dagestani Destroyer, he’ll find himself with an opportunity to place another piece of UFC gold on his shelf.

Speaking with UFC Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier on The DC Check-In, Islam Makhachev revealed that his dream is to have another UFC title draped over his shoulder. Specifically, Leon Edwards‘ UFC title.

“This is my dream and I’m sure I can be double champion. I can beat Leon Edwards. Anywhere, I can beat this guy,” Makhachev claimed.

Islam Makhachev and Leon Edwards Have Plenty of Contenders to Deal With

If Islam Makhachev wants a crack at the 170-pound crown, he’ll likely have to get in line as there is a laundry list of contenders waiting for their time to shine. With a decisive win over Gilbert Burns in his last outing, Belal Muhammad has established himself as the most deserving contender, yet for some reason, ‘Remember the Name’ is being forced to sit on the sidelines while Colby Covington cashes in on what will be his third-crack at welterweight gold.

Though if we are being completely honest, a fight between Islam Makhachev and Leon Edwards would be a much easier sell than the previously mentioned fights. And with the promotion’s penchant for booking big-money fights over ones that make the most sense, Makhachev vs. Edwards could be coming to a streaming device near you very soon.

Islam Makhachev is currently rumored to return to the Octagon this October when the UFC heads back to Abu Dhabi. No official announcements have been made, but after Charles Oliveira’s impressive first-round TKO against Beneil Dariush, ‘Do Bronx’ might be teed up for a rematch with Khabib Nurmagomedov’s protege. Another possibility could see the winner of next month’s highly anticipated scrap between Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje producing Makhachev’s next opponent.

With contenders lining up in both divisions, it’s hard to imagine the UFC holding up both the lightweight and welterweight divisions for a champion vs. champion clash. But as they say in mixed martial arts, anything is possible.

Islam Makhachev mocks BMF title ahead of UFC 291 return: ‘What is this? I don’t want this sh*t’

Islam Makhachev, the current undisputed lightweight titleholder, has mocked the return of the symbolic BMF championship next month – claiming that Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje are competing for a belt made for “bums” ahead of UFC 291. Makhachev, the current #3 ranked pound-for-pound ranked fighter under the banner of the UFC, and the current […]

Makhachev, the current #3 ranked pound-for-pound ranked fighter under the banner of the UFC, and the current undisputed lightweight champion, has been sidelined since he headlined UFC 284 back in February of this year, successfully defending his title in a unanimous decision victory over featherweight kingpin, Alexander Volkanovski.

Islam Makhachev expected to fight Charles Oliveira again later this year

Expected to make his comeback in October at UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi, UAE – Makhachev has now been touted to fight former champion and current #1 ranked contender, Charles Oliveira in a rematch, after the Sao Paulo native returned to the winner’s enclosure at UFC 289 last weekend with a first round TKO against Beneil Dariush.

However, next month, the Octagon is set to host a lightweight rematch between former interim gold holders, Poirier and Gaethje, with the pair left with an outside chance to force a fresh title fight Makhachev – as the duo headline UFC 291 with symbolic BMF spoils on the line.

Scoffing at the return of the symbolic championship, Makhachev admitted that he does not even want the title on the line for him when he competes in the future.

“If Dustin Poirier beats Justin Gaethje, and he’s gonna fight next for the lightweight title, he’s gonna come with ‘BMF’ title?” Islam Makhachev asked Daniel Cormier during an appearance on Check In. “I don’t want this sh*t. ‘BMF’ – what is this? This belt’s for the bums.”

“First time, who fought for this belt? (Jorge) Masvidal and Nate Diaz,” Islam Makhachev continued. “Two people (who) never can be champion, you know? They [the UFC] give some belt (and say), ‘Be happy, fight for ‘BMF’’”

Coach changes tune, claims Charles Oliveira now deserves title fight with Islam Makhachev after UFC 289 win

Ahead of UFC 289, American Kickboxing Academy head coach, Javier Mendez had claimed that even with a victory – Charles Oliveira would likely not deserve a title rematch with his student, Islam Makhachev, however, the Brazilian has now been touted as next in line for a title fight according to Mendez. Co-headlining UFC 289 over […]

Co-headlining UFC 289 over the course of the weekend, Charles Oliveira managed to return to the winner’s enclosure with a first round win over the surging, Beneil Dariush – finishing the Kings MMA staple with a barrage of opening frame ground strikes.

The victory propelled the Sao Paulo finisher back to the winner’s enclosure for the first time since October of last year, having previously dropped a second round arm-triangle submission loss to Makhachev at UFC 280 in Abu Dhabi, UAE in the pair’s vacant title showdown.

Immediately calling for a title fight rematch with Makhachev following his success against Dariush, Oliviera was issued a reminder of how their first matchup played out by the Russian – who claimed there was “levels to this game”.

Javier Mendez now claims Charles Oliveira deserves a title rematch with Islam Makhachev

And despite initially denying Oliveira should fight for gold with a win over Dariush, the above-mentioned, Mendez has since claimed Makhachev should fight the Brazilian later this year now in a certain tune change.

“I didn’t know who was gonna win [at UFC 289], but I was crossing my fingers it was gonna be Beneil (Dariush),” Javier Mendez told Submission Radio. “I for sure did not think Charles (Oliveira) was gonna be that impressive in victory. I didn’t think he was gonna be able to do it like he did. I thought a great performance was gonna put him in the talks, but I bypassed that. Maybe it’s because I wanted Beneil to win, I don’t know. But I should not have underestimated how great he is as a champion.”

“I feel that in my opinion, Charles has earned the right to be number one in line for it [title shot],” Mendez explained. “What the UFC feels is different, but from what I see, I don’t see how [Oliveira doesn’t get a title fight next]. Do I think he’s done enough? Yeah, I think he has.”

Furthermore, UFC leader, Dana White also expressed his interest in booking a title rematch between Islam Makhachev and Charles Oliveira later this annum.

Dana White eyes Islam Makhachev – Charles Oliveira 2 following UFC 289: ‘That’s the fight that should happen’

Off the back of his stunning first round win against Beneil Dariush last night at UFC 289, Charles Oliveira may have punched his ticket for a title rematch at the lightweight limit with rival, Islam Makhachev – with promotional boss, Dana White chomping at the bit for the potential re-run. Co-headlining at the Rogers Arena […]

Co-headlining at the Rogers Arena in his Octagon return last night, Oliveira turned in a first round stoppage win over the streaking Dariush, handing the Iranian-born grappler a ground strikes TKO loss following a savage swarm at the Octagon fence, showing off his full striking arsenal to boot.

Referring to himself as the champion at the lightweight limit, Oliveira, the current #1 ranked contender and former undisputed champion, called for a title rematch with Makhachev in the immediate aftermath of his stoppage success, leading to a response from the American Kickboxing Academy mainstay as a result.

Previously sharing the Octagon with Makhachev at UFC 280 last October in Abu Dhabi, UAE, Oliveira suffered a second round arm-triangle submission loss to the former, as the duo battled for the vacant lightweight title.

Dana White plays up Islam Makhachev, Charles Oliveira title rematch

And while remaining coy on a potential future rematch between Islam Makhachev and Charles Oliveira prior to the Brazilian’s exploits at UFC 289, White has now claimed that the rematch is the most logical fight next.

“He (Charles Oliviera) looked like a world-beater tonight, and I’m excited for him and Islam (Makhachev) fight again,” Dana White told assembled media following UFC 289. “It’s the thing that makes sense. I’ll tell you on Tuesday. But yeah, I mean, let’s not play games; that fight makes sense. That’s the fight that should happen. And I’m excited to see it again.”

“There’s a lot of things that go into consideration for the next [title] fight,” White explained. “I mean, I’m sitting here talking to you about him [Charles Oliveira] right now, and I don’t even know what’s wrong with him. He’s in medicals. I don’t know where he’s at and what he’s got planned over the summer. The list joes on and on of things that factor into how fights are made. But I’m just telling you right here right here that is a fight I’d like to see again.”

Islam Makhachev calls for UFC pound for pound top spot: ‘This is bullsh*t, how can Jon Jones be number one?’

Undisputed lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev has once more called to be placed atop the UFC”s official men’s pound-for-pound rankings following his February victory and title defense, questioning how heavyweight kingpin can sit at the top of the pile. Makhachev, the current undisputed lightweight champion, most recently headlined UFC 284 back in February in Perth, Australia […]

Makhachev, the current undisputed lightweight champion, most recently headlined UFC 284 back in February in Perth, Australia – landing his first successful defense of the 155lbs championship with a close, competitive unanimous decision win over featherweight champion, Alexander Volkanovski.

Winning vacant lightweight spoils back in October of last year in Abu Dhabi, UAE in the main event of UFC 280, Makhackala native, Makhachev submitted former undisputed champion, Charles Oliveira with a second round arm-triangle submission win.

Billed as a bout to determine the outright pound-for-pound kingpin under the promotion’s banner, Islam Makhachev failed to actually take the top-spot in the pile, despite his judging victory over Volkanovski in enemy territory.

Islam Makhachev voices displeasure with UFC pound-for-pound rankings

Taking issue with the above-mentioned former light heavyweight champion, Jones’ inclusion on the list and seat at the top table, Makhachev described the scenario as “bullsh*t”.

“This is bullsh*t, brother,” Islam Makhachev told Daniel Cormier during an episode of Check In. “How [is] Jon Jones can be number one? He beat some guy [Ciryl Gane] who is not champion, this guy don’t have [a] belt. And they [the UFC] put him number one pound-for-pound [fighter], This is bullsh*t. It doesn’t matter how he beat him.”

Yet to be booked to make his Octagon return, Makhachev revealed recently how the UFC have informed him following his victory over Volkanovski, that he should take some time away from the Octagon, with reports suggesting the American Kickboxing Academy mainstay is primed to headline UFC 294 in October in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

Makhachev scoffed at the idea of an immediate rematch with former champion, Oliveira overnight – following the Brazilian’s stunning first round ground strikes TKO win against Beneil Dariush at UFC 289.

Islam Makhachev scoffs at Charles Oliveira’s title rematch call after UFC 289 win: ‘There’s still levels to to this’

Reacting to former champion, Charles Oliveira’s spectacular finish of Beneil Dariush in the co-main event of UFC 289 tonight, Islam Makhachev has issued a stark reminder to the Brazilian – who immediately called for a title rematch. Co-headlining UFC 289 in Vancouver, Canada tonight, Oliveira, the current #1 ranked lightweight contender, and former undisputed champion, […]

Co-headlining UFC 289 in Vancouver, Canada tonight, Oliveira, the current #1 ranked lightweight contender, and former undisputed champion, rebounded to the winner’s enclosure in highlight-reel fashion.

Adding Kings MMA staple, Dariush to his incredible winning résumé, Charles Oliveira managed to stop the former with a slew of opening round ground strikes in an electric opening round back-and-forth.

Islam Makhachev issues reminder to Charles Oliveira after UFC 289

And calling his shot for a title rematch with Russian grappling sensation, Makhachev later this year at UFC 294 in October, Oliveira, who suffered a defeat to the former last year – was reminded of that result, in fact.

“Congrats Charles (Oliveira),” Islam Makhachev tweeted. “But still there’s levels in this game (sunglasses emoji).”

Headlining UFC 280 against American Kickboxing Academy staple, Makhachev in October of last year, Oliveira suffered a second round arm-triangle submission loss to the former in the pair’s vacant title fight.

Yet to be booked for his expected Octagon return in October following a prior successful title defense against featherweight kingpin, Alexander Volkanovski in February, Makhachev has been tipped to return at UFC 294.

And while remaining non-committal on a title rematch with Makhachev should Oliveira win at UFC 289, the Sao Paulo finishing phenom certainly left promotional president, Dana White with a lot to stew in following his stunning stoppage of Dariush in ‘The Great White North.