When Rafael Fiziev was forced out of this weekend’s UFC 272 fight against Rafael dos Anjos, many expected Islam Makhachev to step up and take him on. In fact, Makhachev went as far as Tweeting at RDA in an apparent attempt to make the fight happen. At this stage, however, it looks like Renato Moicano will be replacing Fiziev instead. UFC president Dana White told Barstool Sports that Makachev actually turned the fight down.
“Pretty close – I thought we had it done. When I went to bed one of the nights, I thought it was done. Woke up the next morning and found out they turned it down. Islam [turned it down]. No clue [why].
Dana White Reveals Islam Makhachev Turned Down RDA Fight
The best fight that we could possibly make would have been him and Islam. RDA and Islam. Islam turns down the fight. What’s the best fight you can make? [Renato] Moicano.”
Makhachev was one of the first names thrown around once Fiziev was out of the fight. Islam Makhachev’s last fight was only a few days ago, so his choice not to fight again on short notice may be influenced by that.
It’s also plausible that, after cutting weight to fight at 155 pounds, Makhachev was unable to return to lightweight only a few days later. Some fighters (including Makhachev’s mentor, Khabib Nurmagomedov) cut dozens of pounds in order to compete.
It’s entirely possible that Makhachev had bulked back up to his walking-around weight, and would not be able to make it back down to 155 in time to fight RDA. It’s also plausible that RDA wouldn’t have accepted a welterweight or catchweight fight against Makhachev if he himself was already in the midst of a weight cut.
Now, Dana says, the obvious next step for Islam Makhachev is to reschedule his bout against Beniel Darisuh. Makhachev vs Dariush was set to take place last week at UFC Vegas 49, which Dariush had to pull out of due to a leg injury. Bobby Green stepped up to take the fight, with Islam delivering a first-round finish on the day.
“He’s obviously doing very well. I love the Dariush fight. Since he turned down this fight, we’re going to remake the Dariush fight. We’ll get that fight going. Dying to see that fight. He gets through Dariush, very interesting.”
Dana seems to be implying here that, as per Islam’s own prediction, he’ll be in the running for a lightweight title shot should he take out Beniel Dariush. Do you want to see RDA vs Makhachev one day? Let us know in the comments.
