“He has good wrestling,” Islam Makhachev eyes ‘U.S. Wrestling vs. Dagestani Wrestling’ welterweight matchup against Colby Covington after UFC 294

The UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev faces Charles Oliveira at UFC 294. Prior to the announcement of the bout, he sought a welterweight title shot.

“He has good wrestling,” Islam Makhachev eyes ‘U.S. Wrestling vs. Dagestani Wrestling’ welterweight matchup against Colby Covington after UFC 294

Colby Covington and Islam Makhachev interested in fighting each other (Image via Imago)

Islam Makhachev is scheduled to face Charles Oliveira at UFC 294. Makhachev hails from Dagestan, Russia. Their first fight resulted in a second-round submission victory for the Dagestani fighter. Before the announcement of UFC 294, Makhachev called for a title shot in the welterweight division. Fighters like Leon Edwards, Colby Covington, and Kamaru Usman dominated the division over the last five years.

In a recent interview with Brett Okamoto of ESPN, Makhachev clarified his thoughts. He said, “I’ve never heard Leon say he wants this fight. But Colby wants it. That’s why I want Colby to win and we can meet one day. It would be a very good fight, he has good wrestling. It’s going to be U.S. wrestling vs. Dagestan wrestling.” The lightweight champion pointed out that he gave Volkanovski an opportunity to become a double champ, and he wants a similar favor from the champion of the welterweight division.

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Colby Covington is scheduled to fight Leon Edwards in the main event of UFC 296 for the welterweight title. The two-time title challenger is also a former interim welterweight champion. Covington has already called out Makhachev in his interview with James Lynch. It must be noted that Daniel Cormier, the former double champion, is close friends with Covington and Makhachev. If a fight with Makhachev materializes for Covington, it could become an important fight.

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There is no shortage of contenders in both divisions. Justin Gaethje is waiting in the wings for the winner of Oliveira vs. Makhachev. Similarly, Belal Muhammad is a rightful contender in the welterweight division. Muhammad is presumed to fight Kamaru Usman, and if he is victorious against the former champion, he will fight for the title next.

Related: “He can’t just be winging it,” Michael Bisping advices Charles Oliveira must craft a tactical game plan against Islam Makhachev at UFC 294

Colby Covington targets welterweight title defense against Islam Makhachev in February-March of 2024

In a recent interview with James Lynch, Colby Covington called out Islam Makhachev for his first title defense. It was after the Russian insinuated his interest in winning a second belt at welterweight. Makhachev spoke about his interest in his recent interview with Brett Okamoto of ESPN.

Colby Covington
Colby Covington (Image Courtesy – MMA Underground)

Makhachev has since reciprocated Covington’s callout. Moreover, the Russian fighter even went further to complement the skillset of Covington.
Covington is a brash, outspoken fighter, and Makhachev is Khabib Nurmagomedov’s protege. Nurmagomedov famously behaved too rashly, resulting in a pos-fight melee at UFC 229. It was mainly due to his opponent, Conor McGregor‘s excessive trash talk.

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Even though the former interim champion was critical of the Russian fighters, he was all praise for the people in UAE. They were the only location available for the UFC to conduct live events. Makhachev is now headlining consecutive fights in Dubai. Moreover, he previously headlined UFC 280 against Charles Oliveira for the vacant title bout.

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