Islam Makhachev will not be fighting a top-ranked fighter in his next bout either. The Dagestani is set to fight Brazilian Thiago Moises on July 17 instead. A UFC lightweight battle between Makhachev and Moises doesn’t seem like it will disappoint at a UFC Fight Night event.
Islam Makhachev has been starving for a fight against a top ranked UFC lightweight but the promotion just won’t give him the fight he wants it seems. The fighter has called out almost everyone in the higher ranks and unfortunately either they get canceled or they back out. Now the UFC has matched him up with Thiago who is on a winning streak.
The initial report of this matchup was made by ESPN’s Brett Okamoto 3 hours ago. The fight will be a 3-round lightweight bout. The event still does not have a location and it will be revealed shortly by the UFC. Though the matchup has been confirmed, UFC is yet to make an official announcement. According to the latest sources, Islam Makhachev stands at #8 in the lightweight rankings but Moises is yet to be ranked.
Islam Makhachev to fight another unranked fighter to make his way to the top
The Dagestani Islam Makhachev has been calling out and asking for top ranked fighters since forever. He has been turned by Rafael Dos Anjos and Paul Felder recently. RDA and Makhachev were originally scheduled to fight but due to COVID related issues the fights got called off. Islam will look to dominate Moises and make sure he gets a top ranked fighter.
Thiago Moises is coming off a three-fight consecutive winning streak. The streak includes wins over the likes of Alexander Hernandez, Bobby Green, and Michael Johnson. The Brazilian has a record of 15-4-0 in his professional career. Thiago Moises will definitely look to continue his winning run.
Meanwhile, Islam Makhachev is riding on 7 consecutive wins and the latest being against Drew Dober at UFC 259. The Russian has not lost a fight since the year 2015 and that being his only defeat in his lightweight professional career. Do you think Makhachev has proved his worth to fight a top ranked fighter?
Also read: Darren Till to make his comeback against Derek Brunson for UFC Fight Night event on August 14
