UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev wanted fresh blood for his next title defense. Makhachev seemed a little disappointed to see the man he dethroned, Charles Oliveira, defeat Beneil Dariush at UFC 289. Makhachev discussed the fight, and his next title defense, with reporters at a recent Eagle FC event.
“The fight was good. Oliveira won, but I was rooting for Dariush. I thought it would be a new challenge for me. Dariush had eight wins in a row. I don’t know.
Islam Makhachev Laments Beneil Dariush UFC 289 Loss
I can’t say yet if my next fight will be a rematch against Charles. We have to wait. Now Justin and Dustin will fight, and then the UFC will decide. Of course I want a new name on my resume.
It’ll be better for me. [But] if I don’t fight Oliveira now, everyone will say that I am avoiding him. I never choose my opponents. I will fight anyone the UFC gives me.”
While Charles Oliveira has repeatedly claimed that the rematch will go differently, Islam Makhachev feels that history will repeat himself.
“I don’t think he can do anything. I’m not afraid of his grappling like the rest of the fighters. I can take him down at any time. Volkanovski is exactly the same.
If they offer a rematch with Volkanovski, I will gladly accept it. I have said many times that I would be much better prepared.”
Given his open preference for Dariush over Oliveira, Islam Makhachev also evaluated who he’d rather face between the division’s other leading contenders: Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje, who are set to square off in the main event at UFC 291.
“I don’t know. Maybe Poirier. He has a big name in the UFC. Can’t say for sure. Dariush lost, everything turned upside down. I can’t say anything for now… If he had beat Oliveira it would have been a good fight.”
While Makhachev earned the UFC lightweight title with a dominant submission win over Charles Oliveira, he has yet to defend the title against a lightweight.
His only title defense to date was against Alexander Volkanovski, the UFC featherweight champion who moved up a weight class in an attempt to capture a second belt. Makhachev won the razor-close decision, and Volkanovski remains vocal in his desire to face the lightweight champ once again.
Makhachev is widely expected to fight at UFC 294 this October, in Abu Dhabi. The fight card has yet to be announced, but Makhachev is expected to headline the event, facing either Oliveira or the winner of Poirier vs Gaethje.
