“Islam Makhachev will take the belt soon,” Javier Mendez makes some bold predictions for the future of the lightweight division
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Islam Makhachev
Khabib Nurmagomedov left the sport as the undefeated lightweight champion of the UFC. His Dagestani brother Islam Makhachev is now carrying on his legacy, and he is fighting his way up to the lightweight title. Many people believe Islam is the future champ of the division, and his coach Javier Mendez has no doubt about it.
Sports journalist, Vladimir Gornostaev had a chance to interview Mendez. Mendez talked about many things, and he commented on the future of the lightweight division. With a title match scheduled between Dustin Poirier and Charles Oliveira, Vladimir asked him, “Now there are many contenders for the lightweight championship belt, who do you will be next after Dustin Poirier?”
Mendez said, “I think Islam Makhachev will take the belt soon. He is very discipline, he is so good in every area. To me, he is the best in lightweight division, he is the best in my opinion. The only chance for his opponents is a lucky punch. I can’t see any in lightweight divisions who could competition for him.”
“Do your f*cking job,” Justin Gaethje goes off on Islam Makhachev
Recently on UFC’s official podcast titled ‘UFC Unflitered’, Justin Gaethje took his shots on Makhachev making a case as to why he has more to do to get to a title shot. “Makhachev fought No. 14, went to No. 5 and fought a late replacement in Dan Hooker,” he said.
“It wasn’t Dan Hooker on a full camp. It does not count as much, but still, it’s two top 15 guys, none in the top five, only one in the top 10. That’s not how this sh*t works,” Gaethje continued. “Do your f*cking job, fight these guys, and Beneil Dariush is right here. And I like the dude, he’s my friend so you know I’m just going to jump over this man and expect to get a title shot when the No. 3 guy is Beneil Dariush. Handle that. That has to be handled.”
These two are at the top when it comes to the next title shot. Islam has been calling out everyone in the division, and he is being avoided by most of them. Gaethje believes he has earned the right to fight for the belt again, and he is not interested in anything less than a title shot.
Also read – “We’ll go to war,” Islam Makhachev calls out Justin Gaethje for a title eliminator fight
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Suryansh Thakur
(1600 Articles Published)