Islam Makhachev Wants Lightweight Title Shot After Dominant Win at UFC 267
Islam Makhachev knows there will always be naysayers, but he believes he has done enough to be in serious consideration for the next lightweight title shot.
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“I feel good because I show my level – I don’t know how many minutes (it took),” Makhachev said at the UFC 267 post-fight press conference. “Now everybody going to talk like Hooker is an easy opponent, he don’t have grappling or wrestling. Hooker is tough. He beat a lot of wrestling, grappling guy too. He beat Gilbert Burns, many, many guys. I think I deserve now.
“When ]Michael] Chandler beat Hooker they give him title fight. Why not [me]? I am ready, too. I’m here not to beat 15 people and fight. I have nine fights [in a row now].”
Makhachev will have to wait for at least one fight, as reigning 155-pound champion Charles Oliveira is slated to face Dustin Poirier at UFC 269 on Dec. 12. The American Kickboxing Academy representative doesn’t mind holding off until after a winner emerges from that matchup.
“I think Poirier is gonna beat Oliveira,” Makhachev said. “Many things going to change in next couple months. That’s why I’m going to wait.
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