“What the f**k does that even mean,” Dana White dodges reporter who asks if Islam Makhachev can get the next title fight
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Dana White gets asked a tricky question about Islam Makhachev
Things were going all good for Dana White at the UFC 268 pre-fight press conference until he got asked about the tricky situation in the lightweight division involving Islam Makhachev.
The UFC 268 pre-fight press conference took place last night in New York. The pay-per-view event is set to take place at the historical Madison Square Garden in New York City. The UFC has put together a stunning fight card which is stacked from top to bottom. The main card kicks off with a stunning lightweight fight between two fan-favorite fighters, Justin Gaethje and Michael Chandler. The two fighters will be fighting in what is considered a potential title shot against the winner of Charles Oliveira vs Dustin Poirier at UFC 269.
The lightweight division is filled with elite fighters who are title-shot-worthy. Islam Makhachev, who is on a 9-fight winning streak is coming off a win against Dan Hooker at UFC 267. The Dagestani fighter who is considered Khabib Nurmagomedov’s successor is adamant about fighting for the title. At the UFC 268 press conference, UFC President Dana White was asked if Islam has the chances of getting the title shot over the winner of Chandler or Gaethje and White was not comfortable being put on the spot like that.
Dana pretended to be puzzled and tried to shut down the reporter. “What the f**k does that even mean? That sounds like some bulls**t,” said the UFC President. When the reporter reiterated his question, White replied, “He [Justin Gaethje] is ranked number two in the world, and he [Michael Chandler] is number 4. Number two and Number four are fighting on Saturday.”
Michael Chandler chimes in to save Dana White from the question
Michael Chandler, who is ranked #4 in the lightweight rankings according to UFC has fought only two fights in the promotion. The fighter is a former champion in Bellator and made his debut in the UFC last year against Dan Hooker. Chandler finished Hooker in the first round and got a title shot in his next fight at UFC UFC 262 against Charles Oliveira for the vacant lightweight belt.
When Dana was put on the spot with that question from the reporter, Chandler was quick to swoop in and dismiss the reporter by saying, “We don’t care what he says. Saturday night, me and Justin Gaethje get after it, we are the No.1 contender. It is a No. 1 contender’s fight.”
Fans were surprised with this decision given “Iron” was only one fight in the UFC and he got the title shot over fighters like Islam Makhachev for the lightweight title. Chandler will now face Justin Gaethje who is also a former title contender. Two title contenders will be fighting this weekend to hope and get another title shot. Many fans including several MMA experts believe Islam deserves a title shot given he beat the same fighter who Chandler beat to get a title shot.
Watch: Kamaru Usman shoves Colby Covington in an intense face-off ahead of the fight at UFC 268
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Prateek Athanur
(2973 Articles Published)