UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev’s coach wanted some fresh blood for Makhachev’s next title defense. That’s why he was hoping Beneil Dariush would emerge victorious over former lightweight champ Charles Oliveira at UFC 289.
Of course, the opposite happened, with Oliveira finishing only four minutes into the first round. Makhachev’s coach, Javier Mendez, told Submission Radio that he knows what’s coming for the lightweight champion.
UFC Lightweight Champion Wanted Beneil Dariush To Beat Charles Oliveira
“I didn’t know who was gonna win, but I was crossing my fingers it was gonna be Beneil. I for sure did not think Charles was gonna be that impressive in victory. I didn’t think he was gonna be able to do it like he did.
I thought a great performance was gonna put him in the talks [for a title shot] but I bypassed that. Maybe it’s because I wanted Beneil to win, I don’t know. But I should not have underestimated how great he is as a champion.
I feel that in my opinion, Charles has earned the right to be No. 1 in line for it. What the UFC feels is different, but from what I see, I don’t see how [it isn’t Oliveira]. Do I think he’s done enough? Yeah, I think he has.”
Oliveira, as the man Makhachev dethroned, is most likely to take on the next lightweight title challenge. However, there’s another elite lightweight bout around the corner, which might offer a new opponent to the reigning champ.
Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje will face off at UFC 291 in a couple months’ time, and Mendez looks forward to whoever Makhachev gets to face next.
“I seriously doubt Islam’s gonna refuse whoever they offer so whoever they offer, they’re gonna offer. Who’s gonna be the challenger? Honestly, I know I did want Beneil because I felt he was being disrespected.
Just like Belal Muhammad, I think the same thing about him, I think he needs to take his shot but it is what it is. I’m not the one running the UFC.
They’re all such tough competitors, but maybe Gaethje [is the easiest of the three lightweight challenger possibilities]. Maybe Gaethje becomes easier for him than all the others but I’m thinking Gaethje might be stylistically. He’s a great kicker and he can take a good punch.
But I could be wrong on that for sure. Dustin is an ironman type guy. He holds until the last minute, we’ve seen that before. So, I’m thinking Gaethje but I could be wrong.”
