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

Islam Makhachev UFC 288 Charles Oliveira Rematch 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 […]

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 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.

Petr Yan Gives His Prediction For Aljamain Sterling vs. Henry Cejudo

Former UFC bantamweight champion Petr Yan has provided his prediction for the expected next title fight in his division. Ever since he recorded his second successful title defense last October at UFC 280, it’s been widely expected that Aljamain S…

Continue Reading Petr Yan Gives His Prediction For Aljamain Sterling vs. Henry Cejudo at MMA News.

Petr Yan Gives His Prediction For Aljamain Sterling vs. Henry Cejudo

Continue Reading Petr Yan Gives His Prediction For Aljamain Sterling vs. Henry Cejudo at MMA News.

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.

Henry Cejudo Honored As First UFC Fighter With 75 Clean USADA Tests

Henry Cejudo was recently honored at a ceremony during UFC 285 fight week as the first UFC fighter to submit 75 clean drug tests to USADA. The use of PEDs is a constant debate across virtually all forms of athletic competition, and in MMA it’s seemingl…

Continue Reading Henry Cejudo Honored As First UFC Fighter With 75 Clean USADA Tests at MMA News.

Conor McGregor blasts UFC rival Charles Oliveira after he predicts comeback loss for Dubliner: ‘Shut your pie hole’

Former two-weight UFC champion, Conor McGregor has hit out at former lightweight champion, Charles Oliveira ahead of his Octagon return, after the Brazilian picked against the Dubliner in his upcoming promotional return against Michael Chandler later this year. Oliveira, the current #1 ranked lightweight contender, and a former undisputed division champion, is slated to make […]

Oliveira, the current #1 ranked lightweight contender, and a former undisputed division champion, is slated to make his Octagon return on May 6. at UFC 288 in Newark, New Jersey – drawing Beneil Dariush at the Prudential Center event in a co-main event outing.

As for McGregor, the 34-year-old Crumlin native recently began filming The Ultimate Fighter 31 alongside opposing coach, Chandler, with the duo expected to make his return to the welterweight limit in an end-of-season fight with the Kill Cliff FC staple.

Charles Oliveira dismisses Conor McGregor’s chances against Michael Chandler

Sharing his thoughts on ex-lightweight and featherweight titleholder, McGregor’s impending return against Chandler, Oliveira dismissed the former’s chances of landing a victory against their soon-to-be common-foe.

“I don’t think he’s (Conor McGregor) going to win [against Michael Chandler],” Charles Oliveira told Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour through an interpreter. “I mean, he’s a guy that sells. He’s great to promote, and people love his fights, but I don’t think he’s going to win. So, yeah, I believe (Michael) Chandler is an explosive fighter. McGregor hasn’t fought in a long time, so I believe Chandler is going to win.”

In a now-deleted tweet in response to Oliveira, McGregor hit out at the former lightweight champion – whom has welcomed a future fight with in the past.

“Charles Oliveira shut your pie hole,” Conor McGregor tweeted.

In the midst of a two-fight losing skid, McGregor suffered a fractured left tibia and fibula back in July 2021 in his main event trilogy rubber match against another common-opponent, Dustin Poirier atop a UFC 264 pay-per-view event.