According to the UFC president, Islam Makhachev will have to fight Beneil Dariush.
What a week for Makhachev. The Russian fought in his second main event last Saturday, then two days later, there was a huge possibility of him stepping in on short notice to fight Rafael Dos Anjos on less than a week’s notice. He and RDA even agreed to fight publicly on Twitter.
Well, that is why fights aren’t made of social media. It turns out Makhachev turned down the co-main fight against RDA, according to Dana White. And the UFC was so close to making the fight.
Turning down the fight
“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,” White told Barstool Sports.
The UFC president has ‘no clue’ why the No. 3 ranked lightweight turned it down.
There was a lot of chatter after Makhachev’s win last weekend that he would be next in line for the lightweight title. He would face the winner of Charles Oliveria vs. Justin Gaethje, which goes down at UFC 274.
Now, it seems like because Makhachev turned down the big opportunity this weekend, a title shot is not next. He is instead getting rebooked with his original opponent Beneil Dariush.
Islam vs. Dariush back on
“I love the Dariush fight,” said White. “Since [Islam] 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.”
What a week for Makhachev; I guess he should have just stayed off Twitter yesterday. Oh well.
Dana on Islam/RDA: "I thought we had it done. I went to bed one of the nights I thought it was done and woke up the next morning and [Makhachev] turned it down."
Dana says Makhachev/Dariush is next. pic.twitter.com/ZqmGMRa608
— Robbie Fox (@RobbieBarstool) March 2, 2022
