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Islam Makhachev confirms he will make UFC welterweight move: ‘I want to fight for another belt’

Islam Makhachev welterweight move UFC Undisputed UFC lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev has confirmed that he will make a move to the promotion’s welterweight division in the future – touting his aspirations to land a second Octagon crown. Makhachev, the current undisputed lightweight champion, headlined UFC 284 most recently back in February of this year against featherweight titleholder, Alexander Volkanovski – […]

Undisputed UFC lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev has confirmed that he will make a move to the promotion’s welterweight division in the future – touting his aspirations to land a second Octagon crown.

Makhachev, the current undisputed lightweight champion, headlined UFC 284 most recently back in February of this year against featherweight titleholder, Alexander Volkanovski – defending his championship in a close, unanimous decision victory over the Australian.

First minting himself as undisputed gold holder back in October of last year in Abu Dhabi, UAE atop a UFC 280 pay-per-view card – Makahchev snapped the division-best streak of Charles Oliveira in a vacant title fight, stopping the Brazilian with an arm-triangle choke.

Islam Makhachev confirms he will make welterweight division leap

Weighing up potential future title defenses against the likes of Beneil Dariush, and even former two-weight UFC champion, Conor McGregor – in what Makhachev has branded a lucrative fight, the Makhackala native has stressed his interest in fighting at the welterweight limit to add to his trophy cabinet.

“100 percent,” Islam Makhachev said of a potential welterweight move during an appearance on WEIGHING IN. “One day I want to fight for another belt. I know, I’m not gonna be like, you know, so [much] smaller – maybe a little bit – I’m big too. I know I can take a second belt.”

“This is my dream, you know,” Islam Makhachev said. “Two belts, two shoulders.”

In the midst of a 12-fight winning run which includes his title win and subseqeunt defense against Oliveira, and Volkanovski, respectively – Makhachev has landed victories over the likes of Bobby Green, Dan Hooker, Thiago Moises, Drew Dober, and surging Armenian contender, Arman Tsarukyan.

At the time of publication, Leon Edwards currently holds the undisputed welterweight title, however, the Birmingham native puts his belt on the line this weekend at UFC 286 against former champion and Makhachev’s Dominance MMA stablemate, Kamaru Usman.

Islam Makhachev open to UFC title defense against Conor McGregor next: ‘Make some good money. Let’s go’

Despite stressing how former two-weight champion, Conor McGregor does not deserve to compete for Octagon gold in the near future, current undisputed UFC lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev claims he would entertain a title defense against the Dubliner next. Makhachev, the current undisputed lightweight champion, made his first successful defense of the 155lbs throne last month […]

Makhachev, the current undisputed lightweight champion, made his first successful defense of the 155lbs throne last month atop a UFC 284 pay-per-view card in Perth, Australia – defeating undisputed featherweight best, Alexander Volkanovski.

As for McGregor, the former lightweight and featherweight champion headlined UFC 264 back in July 2021 most recently, fracturing his left tibia and fibula in a doctor’s stoppage TKO loss to Dustin Poirier.

Last month, Conor McGregor travelled to Las Vegas, Nevada – where he began filming on the reality television programe, The Ultimate Fighter 31 – where he will serve as an opposing coach against one-time vacant title challenger, Michael Chandler.

Islam Makhachev welcomes fight with Conor McGregor next

While weighing up his future options for his second attempted title defense – Makhachev, who has welcomed a fight with Beneil Dariush, who tackles former champion, Charles Oliveira at UFC 288 in May – the Russian appeared receptive to a fight with McGregor nevertheless.

“Conor (McGregor) chose (Michael) Chandler,” Islam Makahchev told BT Sport. “Chandler lost on purpose [to Dustin Poirier] because if he beat a couple of guys it was never going to happen, versus McGregor. He fights like crazy, like he comes from the streets. That’s why they make the fight.”

“He (McGregor) does not deserve,” Islam Makhachev explained. “If he beats Chandler or some of the guys. But, if UFC want, why not? Make some good money. Let’s go.”

Appearing front and center at UFC 285 earlier this month to watch Jon Jones defeat Ciryl Gane and mint himself as the undisputed heavyweight champion, Conor McGregor provided an update on his own fighting future later this year.

Chael Sonnen weighs in on Islam Makhachev IV use controversy at UFC 284: ‘The nurse, she’s a scumbag’

Former undisputed UFC light heavyweight and middleweight title challenger, Chael Sonnen has branded the medical professional who is alleged to have administered an intravenous injection to lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev ahead of UFC 284 last month – a “scumbag”. Headlining UFC 284 in February, Makahchev managed to land his first successful defense of hte lightweight […]

Headlining UFC 284 in February, Makahchev managed to land his first successful defense of hte lightweight championship, defeating featherweight champion, Alexander Volkanovski with a unanimous decision win over the course of five competitive, back-and-forth rounds.

However, in the aftermath of the event, Makahchev was hit with accusations of using an IV in the rehydration process ahead of UFC 284 by City Kickboxing striker, Dan Hooker – while Volkanovski’s coach, Eugene Bareman remained coy on the accusations issued against Makhachev.

Chael Sonnen blasts the nurse who is alleged to have administered an IV to Islam Makhachev

Sharing his thoughts on the issue during a recent episode of Flagrant with comedian, Andrew Schulz, former UFC championship challenger, Sonnen placed the blame at the feet of the nurse who is alleged to have administered the intravenous injection to Makhachev.

“He did [use an] IV,” Chael Sonnen said of Islam Makhachev. “But I’ll just share with the world, that doesn’t mean it was a violation. Whoever this nurse is who spoke up, you know, shame on her. What a big mouth. You do that in America, they take your license away, I mean, you got hIPPA and all sorts of other stuff. This girl goes to his hotel, she juices him, and then tells the other camp when he flies out of town. That was a scumbag move, she’s acting like she’s acting like she’s the hero of this story – the whistleblower. She’s a scumbag.”

Sonnen had previously made claims that the use of an IV drip can aid the “flushing” of performance enhancing drugs from your body.

“USADA made a colossal mistake by telling people that they can’t use the IV,” Chael Sonnen explained. “Nobody understood fully that you could flush PEDs if you use an IV and USADA come out and said, ‘No more IVs.’ That was the fight that flipped on in everybody going, ‘Okay, this is how you beat ‘em’ It was a big miss by USADA.”

Islam Makhachev uninterested in title rematch with Charles Oliveira: ‘I need some new challenges’

Undisputed UFC lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev has distanced himself from a potential future rematch with former division titleholder, Charles Oliveira, explaining that he needs to find new challenges rather than fight the Brazilian for a second time. Makhachev, the current undisputed lightweight champion, cornered fellow lightweight titleholder, Usman Nurmagomedov under the Bellator MMA banner last […]

Makhachev, the current undisputed lightweight champion, cornered fellow lightweight titleholder, Usman Nurmagomedov under the Bellator MMA banner last night – with the latter submitting former UFC champion, Benson Henderson with a first round rear-naked choke to progress in the Bellator Lightweight Grand Prix.

Yet to be booked since headlining UFC 284 last month, Makhachev travelled to enemy territory in Perth, Australia to take on featherweight kingpin, Alexander Volkanovski – defending his lightweight crown in a close, unanimous decision success.

Winning the vacant title back in October of last year in Abu Dhabi, UAE – Makhachev submitted the above-mentioned, Oliveira in the second round with a stunning arm-triangle win, snapping the Brazilian’s division-best undefeated run to boot.

Islam Makhachev distances himself from re-run with Charles Oliveira

However, with Oliveira slated to fight the surging, Beneil Dariush at UFC 288 in May in Newark, New Jersey – Makhachev has claimed that it will take a special performance from the Sao Paulo native to earn a championship re-run.

“Honestly, I don’t know,” Islam Makhachev said during an interview with BT Sport. “I hope Beneil (Dariush) wins because I already beat (Charles) Oliveira and I need some new challenge.”

“Dariush is going to be a good fight because this guy has good skills, striking skills, wrestling skills, and grappling skills,” Islam Makhachev explained. “That’s right, it’s going to be a good fight. But Oliveira – if he wants a rematch, if he shows a good performance, maybe he’s going to be next. I don’t know.”

Winning the vacant lightweight title in 2021 in a knockout win over Michael Chandler, Oliveira would defeat Dustin Poirier to defend his throne, before submitting Justin Gaethje in a non-title bout before his loss to Makhachev.

Islam Makhachev eyes UFC title clash with Beneil Dariush next: ‘This guy is tough, it’s gonna be a huge fight’

Off the back of a close, unanimous decision win over featherweight kingpin, Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 284 last month, undisputed lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev has outlined his intentions to rebook a fight with surging contender, Beneil Dariush for his next title outing. Makhachev, the current undisputed lightweight champion, headlined UFC 284 back in February in […]

Makhachev, the current undisputed lightweight champion, headlined UFC 284 back in February in a trip to Perth, Australia – defeating undisputed featherweight kingpin, Volkanovski over the course of five rounds in a back-and-forth unanimous judging win.

As for Dariush, the Iranian-born contender managed to chalk up his eighth consecutive victory at UFC 280 back in October on ‘Fight Island’ – defeating recent UFC 285 winner, Mateusz Gamrot in a unanimous decision victory.

Slated to co-headline UFC 288 in May in Newark, New Jersey – Kings MMA staple, Dariush will draw soon-to-be common-opposition, former undisputed lightweight champion, Charles Oliveira in an expected title-eliminator.

Previously scheduled to headline a UFC Apex facility card against Makhachev in February fo last year, a fractured fibula forced Dariush from the main event slot with the Dagestan native.

Islam Makhachev welcomes return against Beneil Dariush

However, Makhachev has now offered Dariush the chance to land a title shot against him – if he traverses the aforenoted, Oliveira on May 6.

“I hope Beneil (Dariush) beats (Charles) Oliveira,” Islam Makhachev told TSN reporter, Aaron Bronsteter at UFC 285. “We gonna make some good fight because this guy is tough because he have good skills. And it’s gonna be a huge fight for the fans.”

“I prepared for this fight [with Beneil Dariush] a couple years ago,” Islam Makhachev explained. “He beat a good opponent in his last fight. That’s why I think if he beats Oliveira, he’s gonna deserve [the fight].”

1-on-1 with @MAKHACHEVMMA on a potential rematch with Volkanovski, who is next up at lightweight and the difficulties that he had fighting in Australia. pic.twitter.com/iPrzMDHNNZ

— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) March 5, 2023

Earning the vacant lightweight crown at UFC 280 last October, Makhachev stopped the above-mentioned, Oliveira with a second round arm-triangle choke in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

Islam Makhachev complains of ‘Lack of recovery time’ ahead of UFC 284 headliner last month

Islam Makhachev came out on top in his first UFC lightweight championship defense last month. Capturing the title by submitting one of the promotion’s most prolific finishers last year, Makhachev aimed high for his first title defense. Accepting the challenge of reigning 145-pound king Alexander Volkanovski, the Dagestani destroyer walked into enemy territory at UFC […]

Islam Makhachev came out on top in his first UFC lightweight championship defense last month.

Capturing the title by submitting one of the promotion’s most prolific finishers last year, Makhachev aimed high for his first title defense. Accepting the challenge of reigning 145-pound king Alexander Volkanovski, the Dagestani destroyer walked into enemy territory at UFC 284 in Perth, Australia. After 25 grueling minutes, he walked out with UFC gold still wrapped around his waist.

The fight not only brought together two world champions for an epic superfight, but it also represented the first time in promotional history that the No. 1 ranked pound-for-pound fighter competed against the No. 2 ranked competitor. Volkanovski held the top spot going into the bout, but many expected him to surrender it to Makhachev after coming up short in his bid to become a two-division titleholder. However, that was not the case as ‘The Great’ maintained his No. 1 ranking, much to the chagrin of Islam Makhachev.

“The people expect an easy fight from me,” Makhachev told TSN’s Aaron Bronsteter. “Like how I take him down, smash him there, but many things in Australia is different. All fighters wake up early morning, they don’t give us time for recovery, but Volkanovski doesn’t need time for recovery. He doesn’t cut too much weight. That’s why I know all things from his side of Australia, weather and weight, I just went to Australia and beat the champion and I don’t care if they give me the place or not. I just have my belt.

“This is most important things for the fighter. Not just cut weight, you have to recover, but they don’t give time for the recovery.”

Makhachev’s comments regarding recovery time come amidst accusations that he had hired a nurse to administer an IV to aid in his recovery following the UFC 284 weigh-ins. Volkanovski’s City Kickboxing teammate Dan Hooker made the initial allegation on Twitter shortly after the event. Makhachev has vehemently denied the claim and has called for ‘The Hangman’ to face consequences for his statement.

While IV usage is not expressly prohibited, the USADA rules stipulate that intravenous infusions and injections are prohibited both in-competition and out-of-competition if the volume of the substance exceeds 100 milliliters within a 12-hour period.

1-on-1 with @MAKHACHEVMMA on a potential rematch with Volkanovski, who is next up at lightweight and the difficulties that he had fighting in Australia. pic.twitter.com/iPrzMDHNNZ

— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) March 5, 2023

Islam Makhachev Hopes to Fight Beneil Dariush Later This Year

Despite walking out of RAC Arena with a unanimous decision victory, many fans and fighters believe Islam Makhachev should have lost his title that evening. The close nature of the contest has left both men open to a potential rematch.

“I just showed who’s the best in the world,” Makhachev said. “It was good experience for me. If a lot of people want to see the rematch then let’s do this. Why not? Let’s go. I am ready.”

Before they can sign on the dotted line for a rematch, the two warriors may need to address rising contenders in their respective divisions. Specifically, Alexander Volkanovski who has an interim featherweight champion to settle up with. Though a rematch between the two feels inevitable, Makhachev already has his next opponent in mind, should Makhachev vs. Volkanovski II end up on the back burner.

“I hope Beniel [Dariush] beats [Charles] Oliveira,” Makhachev revealed. “We gonna make some good fight because this guy is tough because he have good skills and it’s gonna be a huge fight for the fans. I prepared for this fight a couple years ago. He beat a good opponent (Mateusz Gamrot) in his last fight. That’s why I think if he beat Charles he’s gonna deserve [the shot].”

Currently ranked No. 4 in the division, Beneil Dariush is primed for his first UFC title opportunity. Riding an eight-fight win streak, Dariush is expected to step into the Octagon at UFC 288 on May 6 for a high-stakes matchup with former lightweight champion Charles Oliveira, the winner likely securing an opportunity to challenge Islam Makhachev for the 155-pound crown.

Transcription courtesy of MMA Fighting