Getty Image / Chris Unger
- Islam Makhachev was asked in an interview about Conor McGregor challenging for a UFC title
- Makhachev crushed McGregor in his response
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Islam Makhachev is a fighter that hardcore UFC fans have expected to see in title contention for a long time. He hasn’t lost a fight in over 6 years and ran through much of his competition on his way up the UFC ladder.
It wasn’t until recently that he began to gain some real traction among more casual fans and start to really see his name thrown around for a title fight. His last two fights have especially impressed fans.
First, Islam submitted Dan Hooker in the first round at UFC 267 to claim his first win over a top-10 opponent. That led him to be scheduled against Beneil Dariush for his first matchup with a top-5 opponent. Unfortunately Dariush was injured and had to withdraw, leading Bobby Green to take his place on short notice.
Makhachev needed just 3:23 to become the only fighter other than Dustin Poirier to finish Green in his UFC career that has stretched across 9 years. That win has many expecting Makhachev to take on the winner of Charles Oliveira’s fight with Justin Gaethje for the lightweight title.
Unfortunately, there could be one thing standing in the way of him getting that title shot. Dana White has said it could got to Conor McGregor instead. Islam was asked about McGregor getting a title shot in an interview with ESPN’s Brett Okamoto.
Video: Islam Makhachev (@MAKHACHEVMMA) gives his side of the RDA/UFC 272 situation. Also talked about Dana White claiming he turned it down and wanting to re-book Dariush, McGregor's tweets and why Saturday's fight has him thinking about welterweight. https://t.co/bAXpHU59bA
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) March 8, 2022
“I think this fake. For the fans that make some interesting. But I think this fake. It’s gonna be hard for him make 155 [pounds] because he drunk all days and lot of people are gonna smash him in this situation. He just gonna fight versus Nate Diaz or you know, some old people, for make some money and that’s it. He’s never gonna be champion. He’s never gonna be compete this level.”
I don’t know what Conor McGregor’s drinking habits are like these days, but I can say that Makhachev is pretty spot on about the rest of it.
McGregor hasn’t shown an ability to be even remotely competitive against the top of the UFC lightweight division recently. That likely relegates him to taking fights against guys like Nate Diaz who he can be competitive against and who the UFC can market to fans.
If McGregor were to land a fight with Makhachev, he wouldn’t stand a chance. The fight could look even worse than when he fought Khabib. It’s hard to picture a title fight against Justin Gaethje or Charles Oliveira going any better.
At some point in the near future we could see Islam Makhachev wearing UFC gold. It’s very unlikely we see the same for Conor McGregor.