In few hours, Islam Makhachev will step inside the octagon to take on Bobby Green in a five-round main event bout in the Apex at UFC Vegas 49. Consequently, there is a lot of excitement around this bout as both these lightweights have completely dominated their opponents in their previous fights.
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However, the Russian lightweight was supposed to face Beneil Dariush in what was anticipated to be a title eliminator. But the last-minute injury to Beneil forced him out of the fight and Green stepped up and took this fight on 10 days short notice.
In a recent interview with TMZ Sports, Islam expressed his disappointment after Dariush pulled out from this fight. Because fans were looking forward to these two lightweight stalwarts clashing against each other.
“Honestly, I’m very sad because Beneil’s injured. Because people really want to watch this fight and I’m preparing so hard for this fight. But I respect Bobby because he took this fight before eight days.”
Islam Makhachev reveals that nobody from the top 10 of the lightweight division was ready to accept the fight
Islam Makhachev revealed while speaking to TMZ that the UFC had offered this fight to several lightweights who are in the top 10 of the division. But no one apart from Bobby Green was ready to fight. Thereafter he listed out the contenders who were offered this main event bout.
“Honestly, I’m very surprised because I asked my manager give me someone from top 10. You know RDA that moment is free and Gillespie or somebody. But he said nobody wants us just Bobby said yes. I say let’s go if now no one’s up from top 10 let’s go with Bobby.”
Makhachev also added that “I know they asked RDA first and they asked Gillespie, Gregor Gillespie. And I told them that moment they not announce Tony fight, I said ask Tony maybe he wants. But all these guys say no.”
It is needless to say that Bobby Green deserves all the plaudits for accepting a fight on short notice just after competing inside the octagon at UFC 271. Irrespective of the result, one can expect Green to give Makhachev a run for his money at UFC Vegas 49. Do let us know in the comments section who you think will emerge victorious in this five-round main event fight.