Islam Makhachev showed his champion mentality throughout UFC 311 fight week when his opponent was changed just one day.
The 33-year-old champion was originally scheduled to defend his lightweight title against Arman Tsarukyan in a rematch six years in the making, but Tsarukyan withdrew just one day due to injury.
Luckily for Islam Makhachev and the fans who were waiting for him, Renato Moicano was bumped up to the main event as he was already scheduled to fight Beneil Dariush on the undercard, who ended up without a fight.
The dominant Russian then submitted the Brazilian in the first round, breaking the record for most title defenses in UFC lightweight history.
LEARN MORE: Arman Tsarukyan won’t get next lightweight shot as Dana White insists he’s ‘going to have to fight his way to the title’
Islam Makhachev further targets UFC history by calling out Dricus Du Plessis
Ahead of his planned fight against “Ahalkalakets,” Makhachev constantly spoke about his desire to become a two-time champion, as is the norm for UFC champions these days.
Despite this, the current welterweight champion is his friend and recent teammate, Belal Muhammad and Makhachev has stated that he would prefer not to fight him.
However, the 33-year-old admitted he would not retire from the sport before competing for a second belt, as he looks to add to his already distinguished legacy.
“I don’t know when (my move to welterweight) will happen but I won’t leave this sport without a second belt, I need the second belt, and then (you can call me) the biggest or something thing like that but it’s true now, I have to be a double champion,” Makhachev said at the post-fight press conference.
“I don’t know guys if it’s going to be the next fight or when I’m going to fight again, always win, defend my belt as many times as the UFC wants, I’ll defend and when they give me a chance I want to be .” double champion,” he continued.
However, becoming a two-time UFC champion now would only add him to a list of several fighters to achieve this success before him. And this is where Makhachev wants to go further.
The dominant Russian has claimed he would like to become the first fighter to win titles in three separate weight classes and has been touted by his manager, looking to once again make UFC history.
“I can also be a three division (champion). Just give me a chance, that’s all. I will fight with (Dricus) Du Plessis, give me a chance, I will fight him too. I swear if Dana White sends me the contract, I will fight him too,” Makhachev sensationally said.
Middleweight champion, Dricus Du Plessis is set to defend his 185-pound title against Sean Strickland at UFC 312 after a successful title defense against Israel Adesanya.
Khamzat Chimaev doubts Makhachev’s ability to win middleweight title
With Makhachev not wanting to fight “Remember The Name” Muhammad, a two-division progression could be the answer to his problem.
However, before he can do that, Khamzat Chimaev will likely fight for the title first after arguing that White would be next.
After Makhachev’s manager Abdelaziz said he thought the Russian could move up to middleweight and win the title, ‘Borz’ gave his thoughts on how Makhachev would fare at 185 pounds.
“Well, if Islam wants it, and (Abdelaziz) wants it, let him go up and try… Maybe it’s possible, maybe it’s not. If anyone could improve (and compete) at 170 or 185, it would be Khabib. As for Islam, I have doubts because of his (fight against Dustin Poirier). It was hard for him,” Chimaev told Aslanbek Badaev.
Makhachev is apparently a big hitter at 155 pounds and his skillset would match up very well with the current welterweight and middleweight champions.
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