Islam Makhachev and his team, particularly Khabib Nurmagomedov, have long touted the Dagestani as a future UFC lightweight champion. With a fight against Bobby Green around the corner, Makhachev is promising to extend his win streak to ten fights, after which he wants to end 155-pound champ Charles Oliveira’s eleven-fight winning streak.
Speaking to the media ahead of his fight against Bobby Green at this weekend’s UFC Vegas 49 event, Makhachev promised yet another dominant display. When asked if this win would earn him the title shot he’s been waiting for, Makhachev was confident as usual.
Islam Makhachev Promises “10-fight win streak” Against Bobby Green
“Of course, because it’s gonna be my 10-fight win streak. I really believe this is key for title fight. I think Oliveira is going to beat Justin Gaethje, and 11-win streak vs. 10-win streak, this is going to be a big fight for all MMA fans.”
Makhachev was scheduled to take on Beniel Dariush, but Dariush sustained an injury last week. Bobby Green, whose last fight was at UFC 271 only weeks ago, stepped up, and now has the opportunity to bypass many of the lightweight division’s ranked fighters. Makhachev was disappointed not to fight a highly-ranked opponent in a bout many considered to be a title eliminator.
“Honestly, when Beneil was injured, I told Ali [Abdelaziz, manager to Makhachev, Usman and other fighters on the roster] and he said the next day that nobody gave an answer, and I thought it wasn’t going to happen. Ali said, ‘Just Bobby Green give answer, he said he’s ready.’ I said let’s go.
It doesn’t matter who because the last three months [were] so hard for me. I prepared for Beneil, training so hard. Just give me someone.”
Bobby Green is well-known for his in-Octagon trash talk, and although Islam Makhachev is typically reserved, he insists that he’ll be doing the talking come Saturday night.
“This guy has big heart because he took this fight, one week. He has good boxing style, and about wrestling and grappling, we will check. We’re gonna talk inside the cage. I’m gonna take him down and tell him, ‘Hey, let’s go. Get up.’ I’m gonna talk.
He’s gonna talk with me when we’re beginning, striking, but when I’m gonna take him down, I’m gonna ask him a couple questions.” Are you expecting another dominant Islam Makhachev performance this weekend, or will Bobby Green shake up the lightweight division? Let us know in the comments.
