- Islam Makhachev is ready to face whoever is next for him
- The lightweight champ doesn’t see a rematch with Charles Oliveira as the best fight to make
Islam Makhachev is happy to find himself in a very familiar spot after finishing Alexander Volkanovski in their rematch at UFC 294. However, the reigning UFC lightweight champion would like to face a fresh opponent next and is not vouching for another rematch such as a second showdown with Charles Oliveira.
New opponent, please
Speaking to the media in his post-fight presser, Makhachev said he has no problem with whoever the UFC puts in front of him and what he can only guarantee is that he would be ready for anybody.
“It’s not my job… I just will sign the contract. Just send me the name. But my opinion, I feel like I already have two opponents. Charles? OK, I will beat Charles, but who’s going to be next? [Justin] Gaethje? He will wait? I don’t think it’s a good idea, but it is what it is. If they say Charles, OK. If they say Gaethje, it’s also OK. It doesn’t matter, I will be ready,” Makhachev pointed out.
Charles is not a good idea
Makhachev then came clean about his thoughts on his next opponent. UFC president Dana White is rooting for Oliveira but Makhachev bluntly insisted that facing the same opponent is not making him a better fighter. On top of that, Islam also predicted that a rematch with “dO Bronx” would only have the same outcome as he would finish the Brazilian again.
“When you have rematch it’s like same, exactly same opponent. You’re training like you did the same camp. [It does] not make you happy… But when you prepare for some new opponents it’s different you know and you become good fighter when you be training for other opponent because every other opponent have something more, something different but when you’re training for same opponent it’s like you stay in one level,” Makhachev explained.
“It’s not going to be different, I will show him [Oliveira] and I will feel him the hard time. He will give up and I will choke him or finish him,” he concluded.
Gaethje has already expressed his desire to take on Makhachev but White hinted that the UFC has a plan for “The Highlight” and Dustin Poirier. Prior to UFC 294, Makhachev said he would ask the UFC to give him a shot at becoming a two-division champ but it is yet to be known if that would be included in the conversation.
Check out Makhachev’s full presser below:
