Islam Makhachev doesn’t mind the idea of fighting the UFC’s biggest star. In fact, he sees Conor McGregor as easy prey, promising to “smash him like easy” at the UFC Vegas 49 post-fight press conference.
Fresh off his first-round stoppage victory over Bobby Green, Islam Makhachev trashed Conor McGregor, once arch-rival to Makhachev’s mentor and trainer Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Islam Makhachev Laughs At Prospect of Fighting McGregor: “Smash Him Like Easy”
“Honestly, I don’t remember when this guy beat someone. He have to come back, beat someone, and then … let’s go, why not? I’m gonna smash him like easy. Bobby Green is gonna be hard for me more than him.”
McGregor once claimed the UFC lightweight title, but that was way back in 2016, and he has yet to win a fight at 155 pounds since.
Islam Makhachev, on the other hand, is riding a ten-fight win streak, and just dispatched Bobby Green in typically dominant fashion. He believes that he ought to be given the next chance at the UFC lightweight title, and explained his logic. After the Gaethje vs Oliveira title fight at UFC 273 next month, should Islam take the winner?
“I’m deserving. I have 10-fight win streak in the last 11 months. I’ve been training so hard. Next week I’m ready for fight. Next pay-per-view show. But I deserve a little bit of notice. I want to fight in Abu Dhabi. I have many of my friends, my family, my friends who stay outside because they cannot come to Apex. I want to fight for the title in Abu Dhabi when all my fans can support me.”
Makhachev hopes to fight Charles Oliveira, who he sees as a great stylistic matchup. Sambo versus Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, combined with both fighters’ vicious striking, could make a great main event. “I think it’s going to be good match.
Because this guy’s good in the striking and grappling and wrestling. I’m going to make him tired, pressure him, and make him give up. Because this guy, I know like when somebody go with him three or four rounds and give him hard punch and hard time, and he can finish some people with choke.
When he do not do this, he give up all the time. But I have grappling skills more than him. He going to try to finish me on the ground, but it’s going to be so hard for him.” Do you think Islam deserves a lightweight title shot? Let us know in the comments.
