“Don’t want to give chance now” – Despite monumental UFC 300 win, Islam Makhachev not settling on ‘BMF’ – featherweight Max Holloway

Islam Makhachev considers 'featherweight' Max Holloway to have unfinished business in his own division.

“Don’t want to give chance now” – Despite monumental UFC 300 win, Islam Makhachev not settling on ‘BMF’ – featherweight Max Holloway

Islam Makhachev snubs Max Holloway as worthy of attention at lightweight (Source: IMAGO/Instagram)

Max Holloway and his point-to-the-canvas UFC 300 gesture was a true ‘BMF’ moment. For Ricardo Lamas at UFC 199, it was quite a beatdown. For Justin Gaethje at UFC 300, the warrior-esque slinging put him out cold and lost him the title strap. Since then, a question arose: are champions like Islam Makhachev or Ilia Topuria the fight to make for the new ‘BMF’ Holloway?

Consequently, the Dagestani says no to a lightweight title shot for ‘Blessed.’ Max Holloway called out Topuria after an iconic last-second knockout. Soon after, he resounded that the Spnairad deserves his attention, which he told KHON2 News’s Rob DeMello. Some fans have thus justified his surprising debut ranking as the #9 top lightweight upon his re-entry, with rivalries back at featherweight. Makhachev considers it somewhat the same.

If he beat couple more guys in my division, we can fight...I don’t want to give him chance now, because I have some contenders who I have to beat…Now I have Dustin, then Arman. I have some job in my division...He has some job in his division...Maybe if he beats [Ilia] Topuria, and I finish all my 2 fights...maybe...
Islam Makhachev to Scott Fontana, for New York Post Sports (@nypost)
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Islam Makhachev faces veteran lightweight Dustin Poirier next at UFC 302 in June. ‘Diamond’ had an equally explosive battle at UFC 299, piquing Makhachev’s interest. Plus, he boasts a better resume in the division than Holloway. He also considers an Arman Tsarukyan-shaped rematch to be inevitable down the line.

Holloway fired back back at his criticism of UFC 300’s sliver strap match as pointless, by calling out his inactivity. However, Makhachev replied by gravitating towards his most important two fights, trying to stay active. He also advised ‘Blessed’ should do the same and sum up more wins at lightweight. Concurrently, Makhachev also has yet another name in mind before Holloway.

Islam Makhachev names Leon Edwards as most realistic ‘dream fight’

MMA enthusiasts are a sucker for nostalgia, like when favorite fighters get together. Fans also favor fighters who mimic the fighters’ resolves. Islam Makhachev has yet to defend his lightweight title against a ranked peer. His defenses came against Alexander Volkanoski twice. Volkanovski’s attempt to attain two-division glory has now made Makhachev think of the same.

Islam Makhachev, Leon Edwards
Islam Makhachev, Leon Edwards (Source: Instagram/(@ufcontnt) / X)

Post-UFC 294, American Kickboxing Academy (AKA) coach Javier Mendez nudged that the lightweight champion has longed for a move up to welterweight for quite some time. As such, the team had Leon ‘Rocky’ Edwards in mind. Makhachev opened up more about the matchup ahead of the fight against Poirier.

My dream fight, I have to fight for the next division...170...fight Leon Edwards...I already give some chance to the fighters from 145 [pounds] I need my chance...
Islam Makhachev to Scott Fontana, for New York Post Sports (@nypost)

Makhachev also mentions that despite a crowded lightweight title contention picture, not much excites him anymore. He has already defeated names like Tsarukyan and Charles Oliveira. Moreover, Justin Gaethje remains out of the title picture after losing against Holloway. Hence, the Dagestani fighter thinks Edwards would be a good shift-up. Only time will tell if the UFC does bill such a bout any soon and if Makhachev does get to live out his two-division dreams.

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