Tag: UFC Vegas 49

UFC lightweight contender Islam Makhachev may not have the lightweight throne yet, but he already has big ambitions for his next few fights.

Makhachev put on another grappling clinic against Bobby Green at UFC Vegas 49. He was originally supposed to face Beneil Dariush but made quick work of the short-notice replacement Green.

Makhachev and his team have long called for the lightweight title shot amidst his 10-fight winning streak. After the win over Green, he appears set to get the winner of Charles Oliveira vs. Justin Gaethje later this year.

But Makhachev doesn’t just want to pursue supremacy in the lightweight division. He also intends on cementing himself as one of the pound-for-pound best in the world by earning championships at multiple weight classes.

During his UFC Vegas 49 post-fight press conference, Makhachev spoke about his plans to potentially earn ‘champ-champ’ status.

“First, I have to take this belt, 155 (pounds),” Makhachev said. “We’ll see, why not (go for the welterweight title)? I think in future—(I’m) thinking about this. We have to see with my team and talk about this because I want some challenge, you know? (Having) two belts, I (would) like this moment.”

Makhachev and current UFC Welterweight Champion Kamaru Usman share the same manager, Ali Abdelaziz. It’s unclear how much longer Usman will fight in the Octagon, as he has previously hinted at eventually leaving the sport on top.

Depending on what the landscape looks like if and when Makhachev earns the lightweight belt, a move to welterweight may not be too far-fetched. This would allow him to become one of the few UFC fighters to earn titles in multiple divisions, which was once unprecedented in the sport.

How do you think Islam Makhachev would perform at welterweight?

Continue Reading Islam Makhachev Isn’t Ruling Out Double-Champ Pursuit In The UFC at MMA News.

UFC lightweight contender Islam Makhachev has heard Conor McGregor‘s claims for the next title shot and he isn’t amused.

Makhachev made quick work of Bobby Green in the main event of UFC Vegas 49. He secured a heavy takedown just minutes into the fight and landed solid ground-and-pound strikes to earn the TKO victory.

Makhachev has now won 10 in a row and will more than likely get the next lightweight title shot. But, McGregor has claimed that he expects to get the next title shot once he returns from his leg injury later this year.

Charles Oliveira will face Justin Gaethje at UFC 274 and Makhachev expects to get the winner. Not only that, but he isn’t ruling out the possibility of a fight with McGregor down the line.

Islam Makhachev Talks Potential Conor McGregor Fight

During his UFC Vegas 49 post-fight press conference, Makhachev addressed McGregor’s title ambitions and whether or not a fight with him is of interest.

“Honestly, I don’t remember when this guy beat someone,” Makhachev said. “He has to come back, beat someone, and then let’s go. Why not? I’m gonna smash him. Bobby Green is going to look harder for me than a fight with him.”

Makhachev earned dominant wins over Thiago Moises and Dan Hooker before earning the win over Green. He was originally supposed to face Beneil Dariush at UFC Vegas 49 before Dariush pulled out after suffering an injury in camp.

McGregor is expecting to return this summer but it’s unclear as to an exact timeframe for his return to the cage. Makhachev is a protege of Khabib Nurmagomedov, one of McGregor’s most heated rivals.

It’s unclear what could be next for both men, but a McGregor vs. Makhachev fight may not be completely out of the realm of possibility over the next year or two.

Do you think we’ll ever see Islam Makhachev vs. Conor McGregor?