Islam Makhachev is down for a fight with Conor McGregor — as long as it’s in the streets.
Returning to the Octagon on Saturday, June 1, the ‘Dagestani Destroyer’ will put his lightweight world title on the line for the third time when he meets division fan favorite Dustin Poirier at UFC 302.
In the days leading up to their highly anticipated clash in Newark, New Jersey, Makhachev has been making the rounds and offering his thoughts on everything from the new UFC gloves that will be making their debut at the event to the triumphant return of Khabib Nurmagomedov, who will be cornering the champ for the first time since UFC 280.
Along the way, Makhachev also addressed a constant thorn in his and his mentor’s side — Conor McGregor. The Irish megastar has been saying some especially vile things about the Dagestani as of late, prompting Makhachev to snap back during an interview with ESPN’s Brett Okamoto, suggesting they can each assemble a crew and meet in the street for an old-fashioned Anchorman-style brawl.
“I want when we meet [Conor McGregor’s] team, and we all team, in the street somewhere, and we have good fights,” Makhachev said. “You know, because we all have many, many big experiences in the street. We just want to meet them and finish all talks, team vs. team.
“It’s going to be more interesting. Because already Khabib beat him in the cage, beat his corner. But team vs. team, maybe we can make ‘Ultimate Fighter.’”
😂 Islam Makhachev is hilarious.
Says he'd prefer Team vs. Team street fight with Conor Mcgregor over a fight in the octagon.
🎥 @espnmma pic.twitter.com/X0GwRdSgEp
— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) May 30, 2024
Islam Makhachev is Not Impressed with Dustin Poirier’s Far-More Expansive Resume
Aside from fending off the continued online attacks of Conor McGregor, Islam Makhachev has been forced to defend his own resume against that of his next opponent.
Though Dustin Poirier has never captured an undisputed title under the UFC banner, it doesn’t change the fact that ‘The Diamond’ has gone toe-to-toe with some of the absolute best fighters in the world — something Makhachev only started doing in the last couple of years.
Before his title-winning performance against Charles Oliveira at UFC 280, Makhachev’s biggest wins came against the likes of Bobby Green and Dan Hooker. Meanwhile, Poirier has thrown hands with Conor McGregor, Eddie Alvarez, Anthony ‘Showtime’ Pettis, Justin Gaethje, Max Holloway, The Korean Zombie, and Michael Chandler.
Islam Makhachev and Dustin Poirier's resumes head-to-head 🤜🤛 pic.twitter.com/adDwpUKU6e
— MMA On Point (@OnPointMMA) May 24, 2024
“Brother, it (does) not make sense,” Makhachev told Daniel Cormier, responding to criticism over his resume compared to Poirier. “I beat the guy who beat him too. I agree with this, there’s more big names on his list. But it means nothing.
“How many times you remember somebody calling my name when I (wasn’t) champion? I don’t remember some guys who are on top calling my name, ‘I want to fight with Islam.’ All my life I had that problem. But finally, I finished this, now people want the belt.”
When it’s all said and done, will Dustin Poirier’s far more impressive resume be the difference-maker as he attempts to “finish his story” at UFC 302?
Watch Makhachev’s full interview with ‘DC’ below:
