As he prepares for his next title defense, UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev will closely monitor this weekend’s UFC 300 event to determine his next opponent.
The Dagestani fighter aims to successfully defend the title he earned in 2022 against Charles Oliveira for the third time, following his victories over Alexander Volkanovski in the previous year.
With plenty of contenders vying for a shot at the title, Makhachev is currently training for his upcoming title defense later this year. Fans are eagerly anticipating the next move for the Russian star, and his coach may have some insights to offer.
Table of Contents
- Who will be Islam Makhachev’s next opponent in his upcoming fight?
- Are there any potential opponents among the UFC 300 contenders for Makhachev to face?
- Could you tell me about Islam Makhachev’s MMA record?
Upcoming Fight for Islam Makhachev
In a recent interview on the eve of UFC 300, Makhachev’s coach Javier Mendez, who previously coached UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov, disclosed that Dustin Poirier is currently the leading contender for his next title defense.
According to Mendez, there is currently no official confirmation of a fight with Dustin Poirier. While Islam has been training for a potential match, no fight has been arranged at this time, as reported by King Casino Bonus.
“I am aware that Islam will be competing in a fight soon as I will be traveling to Dagestan to train him. We are currently preparing for the fight, but we have not received confirmation on the opponent or date yet. He is expected to return in either June or July.”
“Although we can confidently state that Dustin is in the running, the same can be said for the other top contenders. However, we must wait until the 300 mark to see which fighter the UFC ultimately chooses to offer the fight to.”
One of the five potential fighters for the upcoming match could be Dustin, Justin, Oliveira, Tsarukyan, or Holloway. However, I am personally drawn to Dustin because of the previous interactions between him and Islam. Their back and forth banter and existing history make for an interesting storyline that I am intrigued by.
Potential UFC 300 contenders as potential Makhachev opponents
This weekend’s UFC 300 event features two major lightweight clashes, with Justin Gaethje taking on Max Holloway and Charles Oliveira facing off against Arman Tsarukyan.
According to Mendez, both winners of those fights may also have the opportunity to compete for a title shot against Makhachev. He has also shared his predictions on the potential outcomes of those fights.
“The outcome of this fight rests on Justin’s willingness to give the crowd what they desire – a brawl with Max.”
“While he may have the desire to do so, it would be wise for him to wear down his opponent and ultimately defeat him. This is because Holloway is a formidable opponent and there is a risk of being caught off guard in this fight.”
“Justin employs a strategy of taking him down, working him down, allowing him to get back up, and then wearing him down once more. This approach aligns with what I would do in this situation.”
Mendez expressed his excitement for the highly competitive match between Tsarukyan and Oliveira, stating that it is the one he is most looking forward to.
“I greatly admire Charles’s style and his attitude. He is truly a remarkable champion, and I am always inspired by his words and actions. He remains unfazed by any obstacles that come his way.”
“His contributions to the sport are invaluable. He has faced and nearly defeated all opponents, truly solidifying himself as a top contender. I am rooting for his victory, although it is uncertain. Tsarukyan is a formidable opponent.”
Islam Makhachev’s MMA Record
Makhachev has a total of 25 wins and only one loss in his MMA career.
Despite his impressive track record, his one downfall occurred in 2015 when he suffered a knockout at the hands of experienced Brazilian fighter Adriano Martins.
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