UFC Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier has laid out four potential opponents for UFC lightweight king Islam Makhachev.
Makhachev has looked dominant at 155 pounds, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t some intriguing matchups for him down the line. While his next title defense hasn’t been made official, many are expecting the UFC lightweight champion to put his gold on the line against Charles Oliveira, the man he defeated to win that title.
Cormier agrees, but he’s looked into his crystal ball to name three other opponents that could make sense for the beast from Dagestan.
Daniel Cormier Discusses Opposition For Islam Makhachev
During an episode of ESPN’s “DC & RC” show, Daniel Cormier talked about the timing fight fans can expect for Islam Makhachev vs. Charles Oliveira 2.
“So, there’s three guys, right? I think it’s a matter of how does Islam wanna approach this year. He said he wants to fight in the first quarter, January, February, March. March works, Saudi Arabia, there’s a fight card there. It makes all the sense in the world. I think you get Charles Oliveira vs. Islam Makhachev number 2.”
Cormier went on to reveal the potential second and third opponent for Makhachev in 2024, which are Justin Gaethe and Dustin Poirier. There is a possible fourth opponent, who is a wildcard, and per “DC,” might be the lightweight champion’s toughest test.
“I think you get Islam vs. Charles, then I think Justin Gaethje, who has told me in our personal lives that he’s going to wait for Islam Makhachev,” Cormier said. “He’s not gonna fight, he’s gonna wait for his title fight, you get Gaethje. That third fight to me is the one that I’m a kind of bit torn on because if you’re thinking star power and you’re trying to build Makhachev as a big star, you stick him in there with a Dustin Poirier.
“If you’re talking pure skill and true to the sport, if Arman Tsarukyan is able to get through his fight that might be the fight by the end of the year where it might be the most difficult fight for Islam Makhachev,” Cormier said.
Here is the full episode of the latest “DC & RC” show:
