Islam Makhachev mocks Conor McGregor while at the same time taking a dig at the top-ranked lightweight contenders Tony Ferguson, Michael Chandler, and Rafael Dos Anjos among others. Earlier, soon after his emphatic performance against Thiago Moises in the main event of UFC Vegas 31, the lightweight contender called out the likes of Michael Chandler, Rafael Dos Anjos, and Tony Ferguson in a bid to prove that he belongs in the elite category of the UFC’s lightweight division.
“Islam Makhachev tells me his ideal next fight would be Michael Chandler. Interested in Rafael dos Anjos and Tony Ferguson, as well. He also says he thinks Dustin Poirier will be the champion when he gets his shot at a UFC title.” Brett Okamoto revealed in the aftermath of UFC Vegas 31.
Radio silence???? @RdosAnjosMMA @TonyFergusonXT @MikeChandlerMMA I bet they all waiting for smashed mcgregor return now ????????♂️
— Makhachev Islam (@MAKHACHEVMMA) July 19, 2021
However, none of the fighters have responded to Islam Makhachev’s call-out, with the Dagestani fighter going on Twitter to mock the lightweight contender by claiming that all these fighters are waiting for the return of “smashed McGregor.”
What’s next for Islam Makhachev?
UFC president Dana White believes that a fight with top-ranked lightweight contender Beneil Dariush is the fight to make and rightfully so. Both Beneil and Islam rely on their grappling prowess to dominate their opponents.
While Makhachev believes that Dariush is a tougher opponent than Ferguson, Chandler, and Gaethje, he did not quite negate the idea of fighting him in the near future. Additionally, even the #8 ranked Dan Hooker has called out Islam Makhachev, with the Dagestani fighter showing no interest in fighting Hooker.
Dan Hooker took to social media following Makhachev’s win over Moises and mocked the lightweight contender for not mentioning him in his post-fight interview despite the call-out.
Islam Makhachev is proving to be quite a challenge for the lightweight division. He is currently on an eight-fight win streak and is looking for a top-ranked contender to cement his title contention by early next year.
Makhachev has revealed that he believes Dustin Poirier will be the UFC lightweight champion when he will get his title opportunity, with Khabib Nurmagomedov already putting his confidence in Islam Makhachev to maul Charles Oliveira and finish Dustin Poirier should they face inside the Octagon.
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