“It’s a hype thing,” Team Khabib claims Beating Conor McGregor won’t create the legacy Islam Makhachev wants

Islam Makhachev vs. Conor McGregor fight does not interest Makhachev's coach. He wants something that would elevate Makhachev's legacy.

“It’s a hype thing,” Team Khabib claims Beating Conor McGregor won’t create the legacy Islam Makhachev wants

Team Khabib on Islam Makhachev vs Conor McGregor (Source: IMAGO)

Islam Makhachev scored a stunning victory over Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 294. Makhachev landed a well-timed shin kick in Round 1 to defeat Volkanovski. In the aftermath of UFC 294, teammate and friend Daniel Cormier suggested that Conor McGregor would fight Islam next. Cormier believed that it was the biggest fight Makhachev could have.

However, Makhachev’s coach did not express the same sentiment. Speaking to Red Corner MMA’s Denis Geiko, Makhachev’s coach and Khabib Nurmagomedov‘s close acquaintance Javier Mendez speculated on the matter. This is what he said:

It would be interesting for Islam, because he gets to do what Khabib didn't finish. He gets to come back and get on the same journey Khabib did, and it's a great payday for Islam. I think it's great if Islam wants it. If he doesn't, then maybe going for the welterweight title is more appealing to him to create a legacy he wants. Cause beating Conor is not gonna create the kind of legacy that Islam wants...It's a hype thing.
Javier Mendez via Red Corner MMA.
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While the hyped matchup would likely be an enormous financial success, Mendez wants something different. The head coach of the American Kickboxing Academy believed a win over McGregor would not accomplish anything at the moment. Mendez wants a long-lasting legacy for him. An attempt to become a double champion remains a priority for Mendez.

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In a recent episode of the DC & RC Show, Cormier had set up the proposition. He wanted the Irishman to take on Makhachev for the next title defense. However, Team Khabib will look for a legacy-altering fight. Both Makhachev and Mendez have an interest in the welterweight title. Only time will tell if the UFC books that fight down the line.

Islam Makhachev vs. Charles Oliveira likely not happening at UFC 297

Charles Oliveira had incurred a cut right above his eye during training. This forced him out of competing at UFC 294 against Islam Makhachev. Lately, Oliveira had revealed training for a matchup against Makhachev. He revealed full recovery and having a vested interest in rematching the champion. UFC CEO Dana White also mentioned that Oliveira remained the natural selection choice against Makhachev.

Charles Oliveira teases fight fans with a potential rematch with Islam Makhachev early in the next year.
Charles Oliveira teases fight fans with a potential rematch with Islam Makhachev early in the next year. (Source: IMAGO)

Rumors swirled about Islam Makhachev defending the title at UFC 297 in Canada. However, that may not be the case. Speaking to Brett Okamoto of ESPN, White revealed the plans for the rematch. He said the title rematch will not headline the PPV event in Toronto on Jan. 20. However, Oliveira remains the next option for Makhachev’s title defense.

Fight fans want to witness a rematch between Makhachev and Oliveira. Some fans felt Oliveira did not perform well in the first fight and they expect a different result in the next fight. The UFC will make a decision on the title fight in the upcoming weeks.

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