UFC lightweight contender Islam Makhachev has seized the opportunity to respond to recent words by Dana White and Conor McGregor.
Despite stretching his undefeated run to 10 with a crucial win over Bobby Green just two weeks earlier, most of the discussion surrounding Makhachev revolves around his perceived decision to forgo about with longstanding opponent Rafael dos Anjos.
Following Rafael Fiziev’s withdrawals prematurely in UFC 272 bout day, the previous UFC reigning world champion found a different challenger. Although Makhachev was enthusiastic about participating on social media, it was recently confirmed that RDA’s colleague Renato Moicano would have been the chosen one.
Immediately afterward, White said that he had gone to bed anticipating a deal to be completed for the Dagestani to complete the comeback in a timely manner.
Makhachev was given a chance to tell his side of the story during a subsequent interview with ESPN MMA’s Brett Okamoto.
In a different vein, the 30-year-old said that he called the UFC to attempt to make the fight happen, rather than the other way around. He said that the fight failed because fundamental criteria were not met.
“Dana said I turned down this combat, but when I woke up Monday morning, I noticed strange headlines, like ‘Fiziev had COVID.'” The combat has been called off.’ And I’ve gone on vacation in California,” Makhachev continued. “Because I get up and call my supervisor.” ‘Listen, Ali [Abdelaziz], I came across some stuff. Please call UFC and inform them that I am ready to take this bout.’
“And I query about every situation, very little issue, hardly anything (too enormous) (too big). In addition (neither UFC nor Ali called me). I (awoke) and called Ali, telling him, ‘Listen, come and speak with both the UFC, kindly.’ “I’m looking forward to this battle,” Makhachev concluded. “However, the UFC did not do it.” This is why it (didn’t) occur, and that would be all there is to it. People believe UFC approached me and attempted to arrange this battle, but I contacted UFC and requested this tussle.”
While Makhachev did not elaborate on the mentioned requirements, his first callout on social media included a wish for a welterweight battle. Perhaps the UFC’s or dos Anjos’ determination on a 160-pound middleweight for the final UFC 272 co-main event caused conversations to fall down.
‘Somewhere else on his journey of denouncing false news,’ Makhachev targeted regular adversary McGregor. Given Khabib Nurmagomedov’s history with McGregor, it’s not surprising to see the Dagestani sparring with him as he continues his ascension to the top of the lightweight division.
Initially, confronting the potential of the two winners mentioned above recovering from injury and a two-bout slip directly into a title fight, Makhachev argued that McGregor will be unable to achieve 155 lbs and also be effective because he is “heavily intoxicated nearly every day.”
Continuing on to his problems with McGregor, Makhachev said the previous featherweight and middleweight champion lied when he expressed a motivation to attack the highest challenger.