After Rafael Fiziev pulled out of his fight against Rafael Dos Anjos, Islam Makhachev has offered to be his replacement Just four days before the fight.
Recently, Rafael Fiziev withdrew from his UFC 272 co-main event fight after he suffered from Covid 19. So, UFC is searching for a fighter to replace him. In the meantime, his opponent Rafael Dos Anjos took a dig against Islam Makhachev saying that he should not get the title shot as he hasn’t beaten anyone elite.
“I don’t think Makhachev deserves a title shot, to be honest with you. He’s got a 10 [fight] win streak but look at his resume. He didn’t fight any top guys, any top contenders.” Dos Anjos said while talking to Ariel Helwani of the MMA Hour.
When Anjos was questioned about taking a fight against Makhachev on short notice he replied saying: ‘I’m game. Like I told you, I’m always game…I’ll fight anybody. I fight. I’m a fighter. I’m here to fight anybody Saturday.”
But, Rafael believes Islam won’t accept the offer to fight him since Makhachev needs to have a perfect camp to fight. “These guys, they don’t fight like that. They have to have the perfect fight camp, everything perfect, blah, blah, blah, so they can fight. They’re not gonna do it.” added Anjos.
Islam Makhachev is ready to fight Rafael Dos Anjos at UFC 272:
Interestingly, soon after Anjos’s statement, Islam Makhachev Tweeted saying he is ready to fight Dos Anjos at 170 pounds. Considering Islam Makhachev came off a fight at 160 pounds just before two days it is understandable why Makhachev asked this fight to be at 170 pounds.
170 ??? Let’s do it. We have unfinished business RDA @ufc @espnmma @bokamotoESPN @MMAjunkieJohn https://t.co/1y98cgmSbV
— Makhachev Islam (@MAKHACHEVMMA) February 28, 2022
With this tweet, Islam certainly proved Anjos’ speculations wrong. It is to be reported that both Anjos and Makhachev were scheduled to fight each other three times before. However, due to some reason or another, their fight couldn’t happen.
Dos Anjos then responded via a tweet that he is ready to fight Islam at 165 pounds, this was very smart Anjos as he knows the Dagestanis are weight bullies.
165lbs!! Division you guy created. I’m game. https://t.co/1HbCdw0dVi
— Rafael dos Anjos (@RdosAnjosMMA) February 28, 2022
But, Makhachev again responded saying that he would only take the fight at 170:
@MAKHACHEVMMA 170lbs I’m in!! Let’s go!!! Don’t run!!
— Rafael dos Anjos (@RdosAnjosMMA) March 1, 2022
If Islam losses the fight he won’t be losing the title opportunity that Dana promised him. But, Makhachev’s reputation will definitely be on the line. So, let’s hope for White to make this fight happen.
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