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Tag: Islam Makhachev

  • Makhachev Expects Title Shot But Also Open To “Easy” McGregor Fight

    Islam Makhachev is expecting a title fight next, but he doesn’t mind a pit stop with one enticing pickup along his route.

    With 10 consecutive victories now under his belt after defeating Bobby Green at UFC Vegas 49, Islam Makhachev is done waiting. Just as he has been saying for several months now, Makhachev believes the only fight that makes sense for him at this juncture is a world title fight against the winner of the upcoming Charles Oliveira (c) vs. Justin Gaethje lightweight championship bout.

    However, Conor McGregor is not walking back his comments from earlier this year of expecting a lightweight title fight upon his return. Despite the fact that he is not yet cleared to return and him bulking up noticeably, the Irishman’s gaze remains fixed on Oliveira’s pounds of gold.

    Appearing at Bellator 275 this weekend, McGregor reiterated his interest in a championship match against Oliveira, even advising the Brazilian to wait an extra month or two so that they could scrap it up in July.

    At the UFC Vegas 49 post-fight presser, Makhachev was asked about where McGregor fits into the title picture. Although Makhachev finds McGregor to be irrelevant, the Dagestani did express interest in fighting The Notorious One to make him earn the title shot he’s been asking for.

    “Honestly, I don’t remember when this guy beat someone,” Makhachev said. “He have to come back, beat someone, and … let’s go, why not? I’m gonna smash him like easy. Bobby Green is gonna be hard for me more than for him (McGregor).”

    Makhachev is currently ranked #4 in the lightweight division. With Dustin Poirier (#2) just receiving a title shot at UFC 269, Justin Gaethje (#1) being up next, and Beneil Dariush (#3) being injured with no timetable to return, there is a clear path for Makhachev to get the next shot. Meanwhile, McGregor is unranked and, to Makhachev’s point, has not won a fight at 155 lbs. since 2016.

    Nevertheless, Makhachev does not appear to be exempt from the “Red Panty Night” guest list sign-up, where everyone seems to want an invite to the party. The fact that McGregor has a deep history with Makhachev’s mentor, Khabib Nurmagomedov, is probably just as much of an incentive for Makhachev to take this fight as the payday.

    You’ll want to stay tuned to see what lies in store for Makhachev, McGregor, and the rest of the lightweight division in 2022. And the best place to be for all the latest news and updates is right here at MMANews.com.

    Do you think a fight between Conor McGregor and Islam Makhachev would make sense right now?

  • Fighters React To Islam Makhachev Smashing Bobby Green At UFC Vegas 49

    Islam Makhachev vs. Bobby Green was a one-sided beat down. 

    The two fighters met in a bout on Saturday night (February 26, 2022) at the UFC Vegas 49 event from Las Vegas, Nevada at the UFC Apex facility.

    It didn’t last long as Islam took him down then went through various positions – side mount, full mount, and back mount, before raining down some big shots to get the TKO win in the first round. 

    Peep the highlights of the fight courtesy of the UFC’s official Twitter account:

    Let’s see how the fighters reacted to the outcome of this fight: 

    Makhachev entered this fight with a 20-1 pro-MMA record and seven-fight winning streak. During this winning streak, he had two submissions, one KO, and four decision wins. His previous fights saw him beat Drew Dober at UFC 253 and a submission win over Thiago Moises at UFC Vegas 31. 

    Green green entered this fight by going 3-2 in his previous five and on a two-fight winning streak. His past two fights saw him score a TKO win over Al Iaquinta at UFC 268 and Nasrat Haqparast by unanimous decision at UFC 271. 

    MMA News is providing ongoing coverage of UFC Vegas 49. We’ve got you covered with live results, video highlights, and post-fight tidbits.

    UFC Vegas 49 Results & Highlights: Islam Makhachev vs. Bobby Green

  • Makhachev Still Expects To Fight Dariush Despite UFC Vegas 49 Withdrawal

    Islam Makhachev is still expecting to share the Octagon with Beneil Dariush at some point.

    Islam Makhachev is knocking on the door of a UFC title shot. The young up-and-coming fighter has been making waves in the UFC lightweight division for several years now. Coming up under the tutelage of Khabib Nurmagomedov, Makhachev is one of the most hyped fighters at 155 pounds at the moment. He will be fighting in the main event of tonight’s UFC Vegas 49 card against Bobby Green.

    Green is a last-minute stand-in; however, as Makhachev’s original opponent, Beneil Dariush was forced out of the bout with an injury recently. Dariush is sitting in the number three spot in the lightweight division rankings. Makhachev was hoping that defeating Dariush would put him even closer to a possible fight with champion Charles Oliveira. Now, with the unranked Green as his next opponent, Makhachev’s title aspirations could be in jeopardy.

    Makhachev is disappointed in Dariush’s withdrawal from the fight, but he expects this chapter to be finished at a later date.

    “I’m a little bit sad because Beneil injured,” Makhachev told Daniel Cormier and Ryan Clark on the DC & RC show. “I really believe we gonna fight again, maybe next year or maybe this year. I heard he have like very bad injuries. He broke his (leg). But Beneil is one of the best in the world. That’s why I really believe we’re gonna fight.”

    The extent of Dariush’s injuries will require him to be out of competition for a bit. He recently updated his condition to let fans know that he may not be requiring surgery, and his timetable for a return is unknown at this time.

    Do you think that Islam Makhachev can still receive a title shot with a victory over Bobby Green at UFC Vegas 49 on Saturday night?

  • Green Not Expecting Title Shot With Makhachev Win: “I’m Not Stupid”

    Bobby Green isn’t expecting a title shot, even if he pulls off a massive upset and beats Islam Makhachev tonight at UFC Vegas 49.

    Green is stepping up on 10 days’ notice to take on Makhachev after Beneil Dariush was forced out of the bout due to an injury. The fight will take place at a 160lbs catchweight, and even though Makhachev is fighting a short-notice replacement, many still believe he will get the title shot due to his win streak.

    However, should Green win, he doesn’t believe he will get the title shot.

    “I’m not stupid. I know this is a business. I know that the UFC are the storytellers. They write the story. They don’t tell you who you goin’, and where it’s goin’, and how it’s goin’. I’m just here to play my part. That’s it,” Green said on The MMA Hour. “And so I don’t believe there will be a title shot next. People would be pissed. ‘He just jumped over everybody and blah, blah, blah.

    Bobby Green, Nasrat Haqparast
    © Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

    “‘And it doesn’t make sense. And he wasn’t ranked, and blah, blah, blah. And he only has two or three wins (in a row) and blah, blah, blah.’ They’re gonna have every excuse of why I shouldn’t (receive a title shot). And I don’t care. I just want you to put me in front of somebody next and keep this money rollin’ in. That’s all it’s about is money, OK? That’s it.”

    Bobby Green just fought at UFC 271 and defeated Nasrat Haqparast by decision. It was his second win in a row as he scored a TKO victory over Al Iaquinta at UFC 268 prior to that. Green has been in the UFC since 2013, and this will be his first main event. Should he win, this will easily be the biggest win of his career and possibly put him in the top 5 at lightweight.

    Do you think Bobby Green would deserve a title shot with a win over Islam Makhachev?

  • Islam Makhachev Explains Why Charles Oliveira Would Be An Easy Fight

    Islam Makhachev believes his wrestling skills outmatch the lightweight champion’s, which makes it a good, yet easy fight for him.

    The #4 lightweight contender faces off against Bobby Green in a catchweight bout this Saturday, February 26. Green is Beniel Dariush’s replacement, as Dariush suffered an injury a week before the match.

    Makhachev and Green head into their battle with back-to-back impressive wins. Fans anticipate what both fighters will bring to the cage at UFC Fight Night 202.

    Islam Makhachev and Bobby Green
    Islam Makhachev and Bobby Green, Photo Credit: UFC/Twitter

    Some tension has built up leading to their match. For instance, Green says he will be the first fighter to give Makhachev a “real” fight. And Makhachev laughed at Bobby Green’s wrestling skills.

    But that comes as no surprise. Being the wrestling sensation that Makhachev is, he puts his wrestling skills well above many fighters.

    In his last nine straight wins, he racked up four different submissions. Last year alone, he won all of his fights by submission, which includes a kimura to take out Dan Hooker in the first round.

    Though Makhachev credits “Do Bronx” for his striking and grappling, his success leads him to believe he can put Charles Oliveira down with ease in an eventual matchup.

    “It’s gonna be good fight because we almost have same style,” Makhachev said during a UFC Vegas 49 media scrum. He have good grappling skills, he have good striking, and it’s gonna be good fight. And I don’t think it’s gonna be hard for me. I can take him out, take him down easy because I know he don’t have good wrestling skills. But his grappling skills—high level. And we will see who’s better there,” said Makhachev in a pre-fight interview.

    Currently, Oliveira has the most submission wins and finishes in UFC history and has 20 submissions in his entire MMA career. As of now, Makhachev has 10.

    By the time these two amazing grapplers reach each other those numbers can certainly change.

    Oliveira has an upcoming title defense against Justin Gaethje in May. And before that, Makhachev fights for his chance to increase his win streak to ten straight wins.

    Both fights will determine if Makhachev and Oliveira will test their skills against one another in the near future.

    How do you think Islam Makhachev matches up against Charles Oliveira?

  • UFC Vegas 49: Makhachev vs. Green Weigh-In Results & Preview

    The UFC Vegas 49 weigh-in results are in, and we’ve got the scoop for you down below!

    At UFC Vegas 49, Bobby Green will have quite the first-time main event experience when he takes on Islam Makhachev. Both fighters made weight for their 160 lbs. catchweight bout. Ironically, although it was Green who is stepping in on short notice, he came in two pounds lighter (158) than Makhachev (160).

    Not unlike these two athletes, all but one fighter successfully made weight today. The lone exception being Rong Zhu, who came in four pounds over the lightweight limit ahead of his bout against Ignacio Bahamondes. As a result, Zhu was fined 40% of his fight purse and the bout will proceed as scheduled.

    The night’s co-main event will feature Wellington Turman taking on Misha Cirkunov. Another fight to watch will feature MMA News’ #71-ranked fighter of 2021, Arman Tsarukyan, who will be taking on the surging Joel Álvarez, who enters with a three-fight win streak with 16 of his 19 career wins by submission.

    Main Event Preview

    Bobby Green, Islam Makhachev
    Bobby Green, Islam Makhachev

    MMA fans thought they’d be witnessing a title eliminator between Beneil Dariush (#3) and Islam Makhachev (#4) tomorrow night. Instead, Makhachev will be taking on the last-minute replacement of Bobby Green. Green believes that no title eliminator is called for in his pursuit of being the lightweight BMF, for he has already earned that title.

    As for his lightweight peers, Green has instructed them to take notes on how a gangster approaches the fight game both inside and outside of the cage, even against someone as dominant as Islam Makhachev.

    For Green, he says the real test isn’t to get his hand raised tomorrow night against the dominant Makhachev but to make sure the fans go home happy. Tomorrow night, Green plans to become the first person to put Makhachev in a true fight. Indeed, the veteran says that a fight is what viewers can expect as opposed to a wrestling match.

    As one could imagine, Makhachev has other ideas. He believes that he will have no problems taking Green down and submitting him, as evident by his roasting of Green’s wrestling acumen.

    After Dariush’s withdrawal, Makhachev had tried to fight a list of names that he says went on ghost mode. But with the replacement, nothing has changed for Makhachev. His game plan is always the same: pressure, wrestle, and submit. And he now plans on sprinkling in some trash talk along the way, to which Green says he has no problem engaging in as well.

    But judging from today’s face-off, the two aren’t waiting until tomorrow night to begin their trash-talking.

    UFC Vegas 49 Weigh-In Results & Viewing Information

    UFC Vegas 49 takes place Saturday, February 26, 2022, from the UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada. The entire card will stream on ESPN+, with the preliminary card kicking off at 4 PM ET and the main card starting at 7 PM ET.

    You can view the full card and weigh-in results below, courtesy of UFC.com.

    MAIN CARD

    Main Event – Catchweight Bout (160-lbs): Islam Makhachev (160)    Bobby Green (158)

    Co-Main Event – Middleweight Bout: Misha Cirkunov (185.5) vs Wellington Turman (185)

    Women’s Flyweight Bout: Ji Yeon Kim (126) vs Priscila Cachoeira (125)

    Lightweight Bout: Arman Tsarukyan (156) vs Joel Alvarez (156)

    Middleweight Bout: Armen Petrosyan (186) vs Gregory Rodrigues (186)

    PRELIMS

    Lightweight Bout: Rong Zhu (160)* vs Ignacio Bahamondes (154.5)

    Women’s Featherweight Bout: Josiane Nunes (145.5) vs Ramona Pascual (146)

    Lightweight Bout: Terrance McKinney (156) vs Fares Ziam (155)

    Featherweight Bout: Alejandro Perez (144.5) vs Jonathan Martinez (144)

    Welterweight Bout: Ramiz Brahimaj (170.5) vs Micheal Gillmore (170.5)

    Flyweight Bout: Victor Altamirano (123) vs Carlos Hernandez (125)

    *Rong Zhu weighed in above the lightweight limit as a result, he was fined 40% of his show money.

    Be sure to keep it locked right here on MMANews.com tomorrow night for full coverage of UFC Vegas 49: Makhachev vs. Green!

  • Green Responds To Makhachev’s Plans Of Trash-Talking During Fight

    Islam Makhachev plans on chatting it up with Booby Green on the canvas at UFC Vegas 49.

    Islam Makhachev will be headlining the upcoming UFC Vegas 49 card this weekend against Bobby Green. There has been a lot of talk about Makhachev and his position in the UFC lightweight rankings lately. On Saturday night, it will be Makhachev who plans on doing the talking once the two hit the mat.

    “We’re gonna talk inside the cage. I’m gonna take him down, then tell him, ‘Hey, let’s go. Get up. Yeah, I’m gonna talk,” Makhachev explained during media day (MMA Junkie). “He gonna talk with me when we beginning, striking, but when I’m gonna take him down, I’m gonna ask him a couple questions.”

    Makhachev is undefeated in his last nine fights. His last three wins all came by submission. He is excellent on the ground and is the protégé of one of the greatest wrestlers in UFC history, Khabib Nurmagomedov. And Makhachev shows just how much he’s learned whenever he is in the cage. Makhachev is often compared to Nurmagomedov in terms of fighting style, and Green also sees another resemblance.

    Green Responds To Makhachev’s Plans

    Bobby Green
    Bobby Green, Image Credit: Hans Gutknecht/Los Angeles Daily News

    “I think that’s kinda dope. I think it’s dope,” Green said. “Say what you gotta say, brother. Nobody’s holding you back from your words. Say what you say. You are kinda stealing from your big brother Khabib. That was his shit. So you jockin’ his swag.”

    Green is stepping into this fight with Makhachev on short notice. Makhachev’s original opponent, Beneil Dariush, was injured and Green decided to make the quick turnaround and fight. He last secure a win just 12 days ago when he defeated Nasrat Haqparast by unanimous decision at UFC 271. Green has been in the UFC since 2013 and has dealt with his fair share of wrestlers. He was never been submitted in his UFC career.

    Do you think Makhachev’s takedown-and-talk strategy will have an effect on Bobby Green?

  • Green Says The “Real” UFC Vegas 49 Test Isn’t Beating Makhachev

    UFC lightweight Bobby Green says beating Islam Makhachev at UFC Vegas 49 isn’t the only challenge on his mind this weekend.

    Green will step up on short notice for the injured Beneil Dariush to face Makhachev in the UFC Vegas 49 main event. This comes just weeks after he defeated Nasrat Haqparast via a unanimous decision at UFC 271.

    Green has proven to not be afraid to speak his mind, especially when it comes to his opponents. He’s a brash trash talker inside the cage and has made some of his recent opponents look foolish with his showmanship.

    During his UFC Vegas 49 pre-fight press conference, Green gave an honest assessment on how he views Makhachev’s skillset inside the Octagon.

    “With Islam, he does what he does,” Green said. “But to be honest, it’s kinda boring. Even when he’s getting finishes, it’s still been boring. And so my whole thing is entertainment, excitement. So he can be championship material, but it’s just fuckin’ boring. Nobody wants to see it Nobody cares. I fall asleep watching his fights. And then it’s like, ‘Oh, there’s the finish.’ So they can show a bunch of finishes, which is cool. But it was sleeping, it was boring, it was lackluster.”

    Islam Makhachev Thiago Moises
    (via Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)

    Green went on to elaborate and hint that he prides himself on putting on signature performances, not just earning monumental victories.

    “So that’s the real test: is making somebody that boring exciting. How can I do that? Can I do that? Can I pull that one out of my ass? Let me see what I can do. I think I can do it.”

    Despite Green’s confidence, he’s seen as a significant underdog against Makhachev. However, some highly recognized MMA personalities have touted the idea of not ruling out an upset by Green.

    The winner of the UFC Vegas 49 headliner could quite possibly emerge as the top lightweight title contender and could face the Charles Oliveira vs. Justin Gaethje winner later this year.

    What is your prediction for Bobby Green vs. Islam Makhachev?

  • Islam Makhachev Roasts Bobby Green’s Wrestling, Green Isn’t Amused

    Islam Makhachev got a good chuckle when the subject of Bobby Green’s wrestling skills was brought up in a recent interview.

    Fans who have been following Islam Makhachev’s UFC career can attest to just how much his English skills have improved over the years. Makhachev has gone from not speaking English, barely being able to put a sentence together, speaking a moderate amount of English, to now becoming a full-blown roastmaster, at least when it comes to Bobby Green’s wrestling skills.

    At UFC Vegas 49, Makhachev will be facing Green at a 160 lbs. catchweight bout, with Green serving as a replacement for the injured Beneil Dariush. Makhachev appeared on the ESPN program DC & RC, which is co-hosted by a mentor and teammate of Makhachev’s over at American Top Team, Daniel Cormier.

    Makhachev told Cormier and Ryan Clark that his game plan never changes, even when his opponent does. However, Bobby Green was an all-state wrestler at the high school level. With this in mind, Cormier tried to educate Makhachev about Green’s wrestling background that complements his striking, and Makhachev responded by laughing in his face.

    Their dialogue was as follows:

    Daniel Cormier: But with Bobby Green, he’s got a very different style, Islam. He’s very talented, he’s slick, and he’s good on the standup. But what many people miss is how good of a wrestler Bobby Green is. He’s really good at defending takedowns. He has a wrestling background.

    Islam Makhachev: Who said? <laughs>

    Daniel Cormier: Listen, I’m telling you. What do you mean, ‘Who said?’ <laughs> What do you mean?”

    Islam Makhachev: Brother, he got good boxing and that’s it, brother. <wide smile>

    Daniel Cormier: He has a wrestling background, Islam.

    Islam Makhachev: Maybe he watch some wrestling match. That’s it, brother.

    <Cormier & Ryan Clark break out laughing>

    Islam Makhachev: I wrestle, brother, all my life. Wrestling background? <takes swig of water>

    You can view the bulk of the exchange below.

    Bobby Green Isn’t Amused

    During a UFC Vegas 49 media day scrum, it seemed as though Bobby Green had caught wind of Makhachev’s remarks. Green did not directly reference the DC & RC segment, but he clearly has reason to believe that Makhachev is not taking him seriously as a competitor and that Daniel Cormier will continue trying to get through to him.

    “I feel like he doesn’t respect me. He doesn’t understand me, either,” Green said. “I don’t know if he’s been watching, but I know DC is one of his guys. And DC’s gonna let him know. ‘Hey, do this, and do this, and do this.’ DC’s been paying attention to me. We’ll see.”

    If Green has his way, he won’t need to prove his wrestling credentials to Islam because he’s made no secret that he wants the fight to be a standup battle. He has stated that he will be the first person to put Makhachev in a real fight and that it will not be a wrestling match on Saturday but a fight.

    Makhachev has other ideas. He has not hidden his game plan of wrestling with Green. And judging from his reaction to Cormier’s scouting report, he does not believe Green will be equipped to do anything to prevent being put on his back and submitted.

    Do you think Islam Makhachev is underestimating Bobby Green?

  • Islam Makhachev Provides A List Of Names Who May Have Rejected Fight

    UFC lightweight contender Islam Makhachev is naming names.

    This weekend at UFC Vegas 49, Makhachev will look to extend his winning streak to 10 when he takes on Bobby Green in the main event. While a 10th straight victory is always a great look on a fighter’s résumé, it carries much more weight when it comes against a top-3 fighter.

    That was the original plan for the surging Makhachev when his sights were set on Beneil Dariush for February 26. That is until Dariush had to pull out of the fight due to injury last week. This caused Makhachev and the UFC to frantically search for a replacement to step in.

    Bobby Green: UFC 258 fight cancellation was due to lung, kidney issues - MMA Fighting
    Bobby Green, Image Credit: Esther Lin, MMA Fighting

    That replacement would turn out to be Bobby Green. While Green is a proven UFC veteran who has displayed his high level in his last two strong outings. the fact remains that he is not ranked in the lightweight division. This begs the question: Who did the UFC turn to first before they landed on Green?

    Makhachev Provides List Of Names He Tried To Fight At UFC Vegas 49

    One person who knows something about accepting the daunting task of a short-notice Islam Makhachev fight assignment is Dan Hooker. Hooker accepted a fight against Islam Makhachev on a few weeks’ notice when he agreed to face the Dagestani at UFC 267.

    Both Hooker and Green came to the same conclusion that there had to be lightweights who rejected the Makhachev fight because they felt the risk did not match the reward.

    Makhachev has implied that he has first-hand knowledge that this is exactly what happened when he and the UFC brass came a-knockin’ and only one person arrived at the door.

    “When [Manager Ali Abdelaziz] say Beneil have injury, I tell him, ‘Hey, we have [Rafael dos Anjos]. He’s supposed to fight with [Rafael Fiziev], but [Fiziev] have some problem with visa. I say, ‘Hey, he’s ready, I think. Call him. And he say he don’t want.

    “I say, ‘Call Tony [Ferguson], call [Gregor] Gillespie, Michael Chandler, someone. And just Bobby. Just Bobby give me answer. And I think this guy need a little bit money, that’s why,” Makhachev said on ESPN’s DC & RC recently.

    Makhachev and dos Anjos were supposed to fight last year, but the fight fell through multiple times, with the Dagestani questioning the legitimacy of dos Anjos’ injury when he withdrew from their UFC 267 bout.

    As Makhachev alluded to, dos Anjos is currently scheduled to fight Rafael Fiziev only one week later at UFC 272. Fiziev has recently experienced visa issues, so Makhachev thought it to be a practical solution for dos Anjos to replace Dariush, especially since the two were supposed to fight last year anyway.

    Instead, we will see Makhachev face Bobby Green this weekend. For Makhachev, it doesn’t make a difference who his opponent is against. He stated that his game plan will remain the same: pressure, wrestle, and submit. If implemented successfully and he gets his hand raised for a 10th consecutive time, he will be expecting a world title shot next.

    “Who we have now for the title fight? Justin [Gaethje] and Charles [Oliveira] gonna fight. Who we have? Beneil (is injured) maybe five, six months. But other people, who we have?…

    “I really believe (I’m next) because I deserve. This is gonna be 10-fight win streak. And I think 10 fight, this is like key for the title.”

    Who would you have liked to see step up to replace Beneil Dariush against Islam Makhachev at UFC Vegas 49?

  • Bisping & Schaub Tout Bobby Green As Live Underdog Against Makhachev

    Former UFC fighters Michael Bisping and Brendan Schaub think fans shouldn’t count out Bobby Green against Islam Makhachev.

    Green will step up for his second fight in the same amount of weeks against Makhachev in the UFC Vegas 49 main event. He most recently defeated Nasrat Haqparast with his impressive boxing and movement at UFC 271.

    Green got the call from the UFC to help save the UFC Vegas 49 card after Beneil Dariush suffered a significant injury in camp. While many have praised Green for being game for the short-notice challenge, few fans believe he has a legitimate shot at the elite grappler Makhachev.

    But Bisping and Schaub are proud to be part of that minority. They not only believe that Green can surprise a lot of people against the -900 favorited Makhachev but could also leave Las Vegas with the upset win.

    Michael Bisping Explains Why Bobby Green Has A Reasonable Chance To Pull Off An Upset

    Michael Bisping
    (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

    During a recent video on his YouTube channel, Bisping alluded to Green’s underrated ground game as a reason to not rule out an upset at UFC Vegas 49.

    “For Bobby Green to step up, I mean, what an opportunity,” Bisping said. “And by the way, let’s be honest, Bobby can win this fight. On the feet, Bobby is way better, simple as that. Islam can strike, of course. He’s not a one-trick pony. He’s not just a wrestler, right? But he’s nowhere near as fast as Bobby Green. He’s nowhere near as slick. He hasn’t got the footwork, either, that Bobby has. Now, when it comes to wrestling and jiu-jitsu, I’ll give Islam the edge there. He’s better. He’s better in that regard, but you’ve got to get (Green) down.

    “One thing we know about Bobby Green is the sprawl. He has a beautiful sprawl. He also has really, really good takedowns. I doubt he’s going to use these. In this fight, it wouldn’t be smart to take down Islam. That’s just going into his world, giving him what he wants. So Bobby needs to stay on the feet, try and put Islam on the back foot, but be careful that when he goes forward, Islam doesn’t shoot underneath. Obviously he’s going to get taken down. Look at what Islam did against Dan Hooker.” (h/t MMA Junkie)

    Makhachev is arguably one of the top grapplers in the UFC, as evidenced by his most recent first-round submission of Dan Hooker at UFC 267. He has won nine in a row and could be on the verge of a lightweight title shot.

    Brendan Schaub Also Likes The Idea Of Picking An Upset At UFC Vegas 49

    Brendan Schaub
    Image Credit: Desiree Navarro/WireImage via Getty Images

    Schaub, like Bisping, also believes that picking Green may not be an unwise choice. He explained why in a recent episode of The Schaub Show.

    “It’s not a bad idea taking a chance on Bobby Green if you have some extra cash to f*ck around with. It’s not a terrible bet. It’s hard to plan for, short notice, huge underdog, main event. He’s an experienced fighter, very explosive, hard, hard to train for. So we’ll see.

    “I would assume Makhachev tries to take him down early on to take away and nullify that XFactor that is Bobby Green. He gets him down early on, tries to break him, wears him out, nullify that kind of XFactor. Makhachev is an absolute monster when it comes to that.” (h/t BJPenn)

    If Green can shock the world and stop the Makhachev hype train, he’ll no doubt emerge as a top contender in the lightweight division. As for Makhachev, he’s looking to keep his winning streak intact and potentially earn the winner of Charles Oliveira vs. Justin Gaethje for the belt.

    Do you think Bobby Green has a chance against Islam Makhachev on short notice?

  • Hooker Explains Why Fighters Didn’t Face Islam On Short Notice Like Him

    Dan Hooker knows firsthand how difficult it is to face Islam Makhachev.

    The UFC event coming up on Saturday night has gotten a facelift. The main event was originally scheduled between Beneil Dariush and Islam Makhachev, but unfortunately, Dariush was injured and removed from the fight. Makhachev was still an option but finding him a replacement could have been a difficult task. One man did step up, however: Bobby Green.

    Bobby Green claims to be lightweight 'BMF' after accepting Makhachev fight on short notice - MMAmania.com
    Bobby Green, Image Credit: Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC

    Makhachev is one of the most dangerous men in the lightweight division. He has been rising up the rankings for a while now and with nine wins in a row, he is a problem in the division.

    Dan Hooker was the last man to lose to Makhachev and is shedding some insight on why no other ranked opponent stepped in on short notice against Khabib Nurmagomedov’s protégé. (h/t Sportskeeda)

    “You can draw down the list of fighters that don’t really have a fight right now. I guarantee you that every single one of them was asked if they wanted to fight Islam and there’s a reason Bobby Green took the fight because none of these other guys stepped up to the plate,” Hooker told The AllStar. “To take on a guy like Islam on one or two weeks notice is a pretty tough call and [Dustin] Poirier and [Michael] Chandler and Tony Ferguson wouldn’t even be expected to make that kind of jump or sacrifice just because the risk is not worth the reward for a guy with a name like… The reward is not there for a fighter like Dustin Poirier to take on Islam on a weeks’, or two weeks’ notice. It just doesn’t make any sense for him.”

    Makhachev is currently ranked fourth in the division and has been discussed as a possible title contender with a win over Dariush. Now that he is facing Green instead, the title contention discussion might not still be there.

    Green is coming off two impressive wins, but he is not ranked. Makhachev has been calling for top ten opponents for a while now, and Dariush was the answer. Now, he might have to face another top-five opponent before receiving that title shot he has been searching for.

    Do you think Islam Makhachev is the best fighter in the top five at lightweight?

  • Bobby Green Claims BMF Status After Dariush Fill-In Vs. Makhachev

    UFC lightweight contender Bobby Green knows taking a short-notice fight against Islam Makhachev is risky, but he’s ready for the challenge.

    Green was just days removed from his win over Nasrat Harparast at UFC 271 when he got the call to fill in against Makhachev at UFC Vegas 49. This was after Beneil Dariush had to withdraw from the Feb. 26 headliner due to an injury in camp.

    Welterweight star Jorge Masvidal won the promotion’s first, and likely only, BMF title over Nate Diaz at UFC 244. Green thinks his name should be included in the discussion for the hypothetical BMF champion of the 155-pound division.

    In a recent Instagram post, Green hinted that he deserves to be considered the BMF champion of the lightweight division after taking a tough fight against Makhachev in a quick turnaround.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CaFi6j5p8rD/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    “If they had one for the lightweight division,” Green said in the caption.

    Green has won two in a row after back-to-back losses to Rafael Fiziev and Thiago Moises. He got back on track with a gruesome knockout over Al Iaquinta at UFC 268 before earning an impressive win over Haqparast.

    Green will face a tough challenge in Makhachev, who is arguably a tough matchup for most lightweights even with a full camp. Makhachev has won nine in a row including most recently over Dan Hooker at UFC 267.

    Many have commended Green for taking the short-notice bout against Makhachev, but some doubt he has what it takes to stop Makhachev’s streak. However, if he’s able to pull off the upset, there won’t be many critics who will doubt his rhetorical BMF lightweight status.

    What is your prediction for Bobby Green vs. Islam Makhachev?

  • Bobby Green Replaces Beneil Dariush To Face Makhachev Feb. 26

    Bobby Green will be replacing Beneil Dariush to face Islam Makhachev in the new UFC Fight Night main event on February 26.

    Ariel Helwani was the first to break the news of Dariush pulling out of the fight. Dariush is citing an ankle injury as the reason for his withdrawal. Hours later, ESPN confirmed that Bobby Green will serve as Dariush’s replacement in what will now be a catchweight bout at 160 lbs.

    The Feb. 26 headliner between Makhachev and Dariush was expected by many to serve as a lightweight title eliminator to determine who would challenge champion Charles Oliveira next.

    Beneil Dariush has won seven consecutive fights and was considered to be a very challenging stylistic matchup for Makhachev. Dariush has proven that he is more than willing to stand and bang with bonus-worthy performances, but what made this pairing most intriguing is the fact that Dariush is a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and is considered one of the best grapplers in the UFC. Given Makhachev’s grappling-heavy style, this match was considered a strong example of “something’s gotta give.”

    Islam Makhachev is currently enjoying an incredible nine-fight winning streak. A win here would have not only made for a 10th straight victory but would have finally included that elusive win over a top-5 opponent that many have demanded of him. During this winning streak, Makhachev has defeated names like Thiago Moisés, Drew Dober, and most recently Dan Hooker.

    Scouring the scoring: Round 3 of UFC 265's Bobby Green vs. Rafael Fiziev - Bloody Elbow
    Bobby Green

    Enter Bobby Green. Green is currently unranked but he has just turned in two exceptional back-to-back performances, including TKOing Al Iaquinta in the first round at UFC 268 and then putting on a striking showcase at the expense of Nasrat Hasparast last weekend at UFC 271.

    Coincidentally, the UFC 271 commentating team had lobbied for Bobby Green to be booked in his first UFC main event. Perhaps the MMA gods listened as this idea gained public backing before they granted their own official approval.

    While it is unclear if a win for Makhachev would be enough for a title shot, it is certain that a win for Bobby Green here would be career-changing and earn him a strong presence in the lightweight rankings.

    Who do you think will win between Islam Makhachev and Bobby Green on February 26?

  • Makhachev: Poirier Knows He Won’t Be Champion, Only Wants Money

    UFC lightweight Islam Makhachev has concluded that Dustin Poirier has given up on a championship legacy and is now solely pursuing cash.

    Dustin Poirier’s 11-year WEC/UFC journey culminated at the year-ending pay-per-view of 2021 when “The Diamond” made his reach for some precious gold. Instead of having the lightweight belt in his residence to polish, Poirier is possibly looking for a new division to call home after losing his bid for the lightweight championship at UFC 269.

    Charles Oliveira defeated Poirier by rear-naked-choke, the same method of defeat the Louisianan succumbed to in his first title shot against Khabib Nurmagomedov two years prior.

    UFC 242 results: Khabib Nurmagomedov submits Dustin Poirier to retain
    Image Credit: Per Haljestam

    Following the loss to Oliveira, some have questioned if Poirier is the same fighter who had always wanted to become world champion. Among them was former opponent Justin Gaethje, who wondered if the payouts from the McGregor fights impacted Poirier’s competitive hunger.

    Meanwhile, heading into year 12 of his WEC/UFC tenure, Poirier has handled the loss by openly contemplating and subtly hinting at making a move up to the welterweight division, beginning with a desired fight against Nate Diaz in the weight class.

    Makhachev Believes Poirier’s Potential Division Change Inspired By Money

    Islam Makhachev
    Islam Makhachev, Image Credit: Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

    If Poirier decides to make that plunge into the welterweight division, it could be viewed as a fresh start for the former interim lightweight champion. There are fresh opponents and opportunities that could await him at 170.

    However, surging lightweight contender Islam Makhachev seems to think that this potential move would have nothing to do with any pursuit of gold, greatness, or glory—just green (h/t Sportskeeda).

    “I think he just wanna make money,” Makhachev said of Poirier in an interview with Red Corner MMA. “He knows he’s not gonna be champion no more. That’s why he’s thinking about money now. He just wanna choose weight in where he can make more money. This is my opinion.”

    After losing to Khabib at UFC 242, Poirier was able to pull himself back up by the bootstraps as he has become accustomed to doing, and he defeated Dan Hooker via unanimous decision in June 2020. Then, after defeating Conor McGregor at UFC 257, Poirier could have fought against Oliveira for the vacant lightweight championship in his next fight.

    Instead, Poirier opted to fight McGregor again in a trilogy bout at UFC 264. Oliveira would go on to defeat Chandler via TKO last May while Poirier made his trilogy scorecard with McGregor 2-1 in his favor.

    There were some fans who criticized Poirier’s decision to fight McGregor again instead of first challenging for the title. Even McGregor himself took a jab at his rival for choosing the money fight over a title shot, implying that Poirier is beholden to him. And after Poirier fell to Oliveira at UFC 269, Khabib Nurmagomedov, like his protégé Mkahachev, suggested that deep down, Poirier’s hunger to be the champion has been watered down by his recent cash flow.

    If Dustin Poirier does decide to move up to welterweight, do you believe it’s just because of the money?

  • Drew Dober Explains The “Deciding Factor” In Dariush/Makhachev Fight

    UFC lightweight Drew Dober has given a breakdown of the upcoming UFC Fight Night main event between top-five 155lbers Beneil Dariush and Islam Makhachev.

    Having shared the Octagon with both men, Dober is in a unique position to provide his thoughts on the highly anticipated matchup, which is expected to see the victor advance to challenge the champion later in the year.

    Dober faced Dariush back in March 2019. The Iranian-born American broke the Nebraska native’s three-fight win streak with a second-round triangle armbar submission.

    Almost two years to the day later, Dober faced surging Dagestani Makhachev at UFC 259. Like against Dariush, Dober was submitted, that time with a third-round arm-triangle choke. Those defeats represent two of only four submission losses in Dober’s 35-fight MMA career.

    In an exclusive interview with MMA News, Dober discussed what he expects to happen when the pair collide next month. The 33-year-old also spoke about his own return to action against Ricky Glenn in March, his current contract status, and how long he intends to continue fighting for.

    Dober: My Heart Says Dariush, My Head Says Makhachev

    Since a 2015 KO setback against Adriano Martins, Makhachev has looked unstoppable. During his active nine-fight win streak, the 30-year-old has defeated Nik Lentz, Arman Tsarukyan, Davi Ramos, and Thiago Moisés. Most recently, Makhachev brushed past the challenge of Dan Hooker with a brutal first-round kimura in Abu Dhabi.

    While he boasts more defeats on his record, Dariush’s recent form has been equally strong and his current seven-fight win streak is arguably more impressive than his upcoming opponent’s run of triumphs. Since defeats to Edson Barboza and Alexander Hernandez, Dariush has recorded highlight-reel KOs of Drakkar Klose and Scott Holtzman and shot into contention with decision wins against Diego Ferreira and Tony Ferguson.

    With that in mind, Dober believes Dariush will give Makhachev more problems than he’s ever faced in the UFC. The promotional veteran expects the February 26 main event to be decided by how well Dariush can implement his strategy against a patient Makhachev.

    “I think Beneil is going to give Islam the most problems,” Dober told MMA News. “It’s a super-tough fight for both guys. I think one of the cool things with Beneil is his strategy. He implements a good strategy and he’s able to adjust his strategy per round, and he’s a finisher. He can put you away with his hands or a submission.

    “I think the biggest takeaway is Beneil’s a risk-taker, and Islam is not. Islam will do everything he can to win the long game,” added Dober. “Beneil, he takes risks; sometimes it works out in his favor, and sometimes it doesn’t. I think that’s the deciding factor; Beneil’s strategy and his risk-taking ability… I feel like the determining factor is going to be Beneil’s strategy.”

    When asked for a prediction, Dober told MMA News that his heart and head are going different ways. While he would love to see Dariush have his hand raised, he acknowledges that the safer pick would be Makhachev.

    “It’s so hard. Like, my heart, here at home, my wife and I, we’re going for Beneil Dariush. We want him to win, man. I’m behind him wholeheartedly. But as far as being a betting man, I mean, you see less mistakes from Islam, and so Islam is the safest bet. But the heart’s pulling for Beneil,” concluded Dober.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CXtKADJKVW-/

    While Makhachev might be the safer bet, that certainly won’t stop Dober and his wife from cheering Dariush on from home.

    Who do you think will have their hand raised on February 26, Beneil Dariush or Islam Makhachev?

  • Mendez: Khabib & Makhachev Would ‘Dominate’ Charles Oliveira

    Javier Mendez is confident that both of his pupils in Khabib Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev would beat Charles Oliveira with ease.

    Oliveira is the current UFC lightweight champion and defended his belt for the first time in December with a submission win over Dustin Poirier. He is now likely to face Justin Gaethje sometime in the spring or summer. And should he win that, a bout against the winner of Makhachev-Beneil Dariush will be next.

    Although Oliveira has looked dominant since he became the champ, American Kickboxing head coach Javier Mendez believes the former champ Nurmagomedov as well as Makhachev would be able to defeat the Brazilian.

    “I know they both would beat Charles, in my opinion… Stylistically wise, Islam could strike, he can kick. Khabib wasn’t a great kicker,” Mendez said on his YouTube channel. “Khabib would have to go straight to the grappling with Charles and probably dominate him there. As a matter of fact, I know he would. I know Khabib would dominate him there. And I kind of feel, my personal opinion, as great as Charles is, I think Islam would dominate him there too.”

    Charles Oliveira
    USA Today

    Of course, Nurmagomedov is retired and doesn’t seem too interested in ever returning to the Octagon again. However, there is a very real chance Islam Makhachev and Charles Oliveira fight in 2022 so we can see if the Dagestani fighter would really beat the Brazilian and become the new champion.

    In order for him to even get the title shot, he will need to defeat Dariush in the main event of a Fight Night card on February 26. This is easier said than done, as Dariush has been on an incredible run. However, Mendez believes it is only a matter of time before Makhachev does what his longtime friend and teammate did: become the undisputed UFC lightweight champion.

    Do you think Islam Makhachev and Khabib Nurmagomedov would beat Charles Oliveira?

  • Pimblett On Makhachev’s Record: “I’d Submit Hooker In The 1st Round”

    UFC lightweight prospect Paddy Pimblett is not at all impressed with Islam Makhachev and his title credentials, claiming he’d also be able to submit Dan Hooker in the first-round.

    Since falling to his only loss professional MMA at the hands of Adriano Martins in 2015, Makhachev has built a win streak impressive enough to ascend him into the top five at 155 pounds.

    Victories over Arman Tsarukyan, Davi Ramos, and Drew Dober landed the Dagestani his first main event slot. At UFC Vegas 31, he made the most of it by submitting formerly-ranked contender Thiago Moisés. Having risen to #5 on the lightweight ladder, much to the bemusement of some, Makhachev had the chance to jump closer to the title three months later on Fight Island.

    The Abu Dhabi fan favorite faced short-notice opponent Hooker at UFC 267 after a clash with long-time rival Rafael dos Anjos fell through for the third time. In the opening round, Makhachev showed his superiority on the ground by submitting “The Hangman” with a brutal kimura.

    Having defeated a top-10 opponent and extended his active win streak to nine, many are beginning to sing the praises of Makhachev and brand him a future champion, suggesting he could perhaps even hold gold by the end of 2022. However, one rising 155lber doesn’t share the same sentiment.

    During a recent appearance on Michael Bisping’s Believe You Me podcast, Paddy “The Baddy” Pimblett downplayed Makhachev’s form and résumé. After suggesting the #4-ranked lightweight hasn’t beaten anyone of note except Hooker, Pimblett claimed he’d be able to beat the New Zealander in a similar fashion.

    “Makhachev hasn’t fought anyone lad,” Pimblett said. “He’s only fought Hooker. I think I’d submit Hooker in the first round. That’s what I mean, he’s a kickboxer lad. I’d take him down and submit him.”

    Pimblett Can’t See Makhachev Beating Gaethje, Oliveira Or Dariush

    Following his victory over Hooker, many expected Makhachev to perhaps be accelerated to the title next. Unfortunately for him, Justin Gaethje’s winning performance in a Fight of the Year contender against Michael Chandler effectively prevented that from being a possibility.

    With “The Highlight” set to challenge for Charles Oliveira’s gold this year, Makhachev has had to settle for a title eliminator against #3-ranked contender Beneil Dariush.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CXtKADJKVW-/

    But while many see Makhachev ending Dariush’s seven-fight win streak before dethroning the winner of Gaethje vs. Oliveira in late 2022, Pimblett doesn’t believe the Dagestani has what it takes to beat any of them.

    “Whoever wins out of Oliveira/Gaethje (will enter 2023 with the title), because I can’t see Makhachev beating either of them… I think Dariush beats Makhachev. I rate Dariush mate, I think he’s very underrated. He’s fucking quality.”

    We won’t have to wait long for the first of those three predictions to be tested. Makhachev and Dariush are set to headline a UFC Fight Night card on February 26.

    Barring an inconclusive end to the next title fight or the intervention of a certain Conor McGregor, it stands to reason the victor will be joining the champion inside the Octagon at the end of this year.

    Who do you think will have their hand raised on February 26, Islam Makhachev or Beneil Dariush?

  • Makhachev Politely Informs Dariush He Is A Stepping Stone To Title Shot

    Islam Makhachev has politely let upcoming opponent Beneil Dariush know that he is being overlooked.

    In two months, two of the best lightweights in the world will compete in what is currently expected to serve as a title-eliminator bout. With UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira virtually a lock to defend against #1 contender Justin Gaethje next, the fight between Makhachev (#4) and Dariush (#3) seems to be a no-brainer for determining who will be next in line.

    Makhachev got his wish when Oliveira submitted Dustin Poirier at UFC 269, as the Dagestani is eager to showcase his sambo skills against Oliveira’s masterful jiu-jitsu. In fact, he is so excited at the prospect of fighting Oliveira that he doesn’t seem to be giving any concern to the possibility of Dariush standing in his way. On the contrary, he believes Dariush is merely lying along the way.

    “@beneildariush I’m sorry bro, but you are on my way.,” the polite Dagestani stated.

    Dariush did not respond to this tweet, but he has already shared some of his own thoughts about the upcoming bout. And from the sounds of it, the 32-year-old is not short on confidence, either. In fact, the jiu-jitsu black belt is more than happy to give Makhachev the grappling-friendly matchup he’s after.

    If Dariush winds up on the losing end of this matchup via finish, then Makhachev will receive a double-bonus if Khabib Nurmagomedov is to be believed. Dariush is unconcerned about such information, however, and has chalked up this claim from Makhachev’s mentor as being just a “drama show.”

    The bout between Makhachev and Dariush goes down on February 26 and will serve as the five-round main event.

    Do you believe Beneil Dariush is a mere footnote in Makhachev’s journey to the UFC lightweight championship?

  • Islam Makhachev Gets His Wish In The UFC 269 Main Event

    UFC lightweight contender Islam Makhachev’s hope for a matchup with Charles Oliveira is still alive following the champ’s win at UFC 269.

    Makhachev paid close attention to Oliveira’s win over Dustin Poirier in the UFC 269 main event. After a rough start to the fight, Oliveira found his groove with his grappling and would eventually earn the submission win.

    Charles Oliveira
    USA Today

    Islam Makhachev has catapulted to the lightweight title picture after a run of dominant performances. His most recent win over Dan Hooker at UFC 267 was arguably the most impressive of his career.

    Makhachev is mostly known for his Dagestan-style wrestling prowess in the Octagon, while Oliveira is known to have some of the most elite jiu-jitsu in UFC history. Leading up to UFC 269, Makhachev picked Poirier to beat Oliveira but was still hopeful for a grappling showcase against the defending champion.

    “I have Dustin in favor tonight, but want Oliveira to be there when I’m fighting for the title. Sambo vs. Jiu-Jitsu,” Makhachev tweeted pre-UFC 269.

    After Oliveira got the win, Makhachev congratulated the champion and teased a potential future matchup between the two lightweights.

    “Congrats [Charles Oliveira] just hold in there for me,” Makhachev said.

    Makhachev is likely just one win away from a lightweight title shot after winning nine in a row. He’s slated to face Beneil Dariush at a UFC Fight Night main event on Feb. 26.

    Both Makhachev and Oliveira have managed to go on dominant runs through the lightweight division, making a fight between the two elite lightweights almost inevitable. While Oliveira is expected to face Justin Gaethje next, Makhachev is waiting in the wings for a shot at the belt.

    Who do you think would win a fight between Islam Makhachev and Charles Oliveira?

  • McGregor Again Mocks Dagestan In Response To Makhachev

    UFC lightweight contenders Conor McGregor and Islam Makhachev are it again on Twitter, this time regarding McGregor’s planned title shot.

    McGregor and Makhachev, to the surprise of no one, are not exactly the best of friends. McGregor has had arguably one of the most intense beefs in UFC history with Makhachev’s teammate, Khabib Nurmagomedov.

    But things turned up a notch in light of McGregor’s recent claims that he’s going to get an immediate title shot upon his Octagon return. He’s still recovering from a leg injury he suffered against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 and is planning a return bout for some time in 2022.

    McGregor has called out lightweight champion Charles Oliveira in recent days, with the champion responding that he could be ready to go as soon as this weekend. Makhachev, who is arguably just one win away from a title shot in his own right, blasted McGregor for attempting to cut the line.

    “Your fight is on February 30th,” Makhachev said.

    In a since-deleted tweet, McGregor turned it up to 11 by once again accusing Makhachev’s home nation of Dagestan of promoting a culture of inbreeding.

    @TheNotoriousMMA on Twitter (Screenshot)

    Conor McGregor, Islam Makhachev Could Be On Collision Course in 2022

    McGregor remains adamant that he’s in the thick of things in the UFC lightweight title picture, despite losing back-to-back fights to Poirier. He is currently listed as the No. 9 UFC lightweight in the latest rankings.

    Makhachev, at No. 4, is slated to face Beneil Dariush in a lightweight showcase in February. He has won nine fights in a row and is coming off of arguably the best performance of his career against Dan Hooker at UFC 267.

    A UFC pay-per-view featuring McGregor and Makhachev could potentially happen sooner rather than later, and will certainly stoke the flames of McGregor’s hostility towards Dagestanis. Depending on who the promotion opts to match McGregor up with in his return, he could face Makhachev shortly.

    Who do you want to see Conor McGregor fight next in his return?

  • Dariush: Khabib’s Double Bonus Makhachev Claim Is Just A Drama Show

    UFC lightweight contender Beneil Dariush has responded to Khabib Nurmagomedov’s claim that Islam Makhachev will receive a “double bonus” if he finishes him.

    Earlier this week, another blockbuster clash in the 155-pound division was revealed. In November we had a barnburner between Justin Gaethje and Michael Chandler, this month will see Dustin Poirier challenge for Charles Oliveira’s gold, and February 2022 will now see top-five elites Dariush and Makhachev collide in a UFC Fight Night main event.

    Both men will enter the five-rounder riding lengthy winning streaks. For the Iranian-born American, victories over names like Drew Dober, Drakkar Klose, Diego Ferreira, and Tony Ferguson have seen him have his hand raised in seven straight fights. Makhachev, meanwhile, got past Arman Tsarukyan, Thiago Moisés, and Dan Hooker on his way to nine consecutive triumphs.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CWyQIc0twjW/

    In the aftermath of the booking being reported, Makhachev’s compatriot, friend, and teammate Khabib appeared to make a revelation. “The Eagle” claimed the #4-ranked lightweight will receive a special reward from the UFC if he’s able to put Dariush away inside the 25-minute distance on February 26.

    Dariush Says The “Double Bonus” Is In His Contract As Well

    According to Dariush, Khabib’s comments were simply an attempt to add a little drama to the matchup, as he boasts the same bonus in his own contract. During an interview with ESPN MMA’s Brett Okamoto, the 32-year-old confirmed that Makhachev isn’t receiving anything special or unheard of.

    “I don’t know if I feel like I’m in competition with him (Khabib), but I feel like, maybe, he’s trying to do a little bit of a drama show. Like when he talks about contracts and how Islam is getting a bonus to finish me and stuff like that. You know, I feel like he’s throwing a little digs in there, which, in reality, I think is funny… I was gonna joke, I was like, ‘Man, I’m gonna call Ali (Abdelaziz) and tell him, listen Ali, give me Khabib’s number, I wanna make this guy my manager because I don’t understand why he’s getting bonuses.’

    “But I’m just kidding. In reality, I get the same thing. I have the same thing in my contract… I have that double bonus in my contract. Yeah, yeah, I have the same assurances… It has nothing to do with the name of the fighter, it’s just in your contract. So, you know, drama show, everywhere you go it’s a little bit of a drama show. But at least the way Khabib does it, it’s not like, personal. So I don’t mind it, I actually appreciate it.”

    While he knows he’ll be receiving the same double bonus as Makhachev if he finishes the Dagestani, Dariush isn’t so sure he has the same assurances when it comes to a title shot. Despite a victory over Makhachev, on paper, making him the clear top contender, the 32-year-old recognizes that the promotion will do whatever is best for business.

    “I don’t know about if I’m going to get a title shot. Listen, with me, just because the way I am, you never know when I’m gonna get this title shot. And I don’t think it’s because Dana (White) or Sean (Shelby) don’t like me, I think they like me, but like, they’re businessmen. They have to make the right choice for their business; what’s gonna sell more pay-per-view, what’s gonna get more eyes on the fights, and I recognize that… If I continue doing what I’m doing inside that Octagon, I’m eventually gonna get the eyes and the people to open up their pocketbooks and pay for that pay-per-view.”

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CW3c3wapzgR/

    Should Beneil Dariush receive a title shot if he halts the charge of Islam Makhachev in February 2022?

  • Khabib Reveals Incentive UFC Have Offered Makhachev For Dariush Fight

    If Khabib Nurmagomedov is to be believed, February 26 could prove to be a very lucrative date for surging Dagestani Islam Makhachev.

    Since a 2015 defeat to Adriano Martins, Makhachev has looked unstoppable. In nine straight wins, the 30-year-old has added the likes of Nik Lentz, Gleison Tibau, Arman Tsarukyan, Davi Ramos, and Drew Dober to his résumé. With triumphs number eight and nine, Makhachev turned it up a notch.

    In his first UFC main event, the American Kickboxing Academy product submitted Thiago Moisés with a fourth-round rear-naked choke. Having entered the lightweight top five, Makhachev had been set for a grudge match against rival Rafael dos Anjos at UFC 267. After the Brazilian withdrew, he faced perennial contender Dan Hooker. With a brutal first-round kimura, Makhachev secured his third submission win of 2021.

    Now inches away from a title shot, Makhachev will look to secure his place opposite the champion in 2022. He looks set to have the chance to do so in a UFC Fight Night main event against #3-ranked contender Beneil Dariush.

    It Could Be A Lucrative Night For Makhachev

    Like Makhachev, Dariush has also built an impressive winning streak in recent years. Since losses to Edson Barboza and Alexander Hernandez, the 32-year-old has defeated the likes of Dober, Moisés, Drakkar Klose, and Carlos Diego Ferreira. Dariush secured his place in the top five and in title contention with a dominant co-main event display against Tony Ferguson at UFC 262.

    Despite facing an in-form opponent with grappling credentials that could perhaps match his own, don’t be surprised if Makhachev pushes for a finish. That’s because, according to the Dagestani’s compatriot, friend, and teammate Khabib Nurmagomedov, the UFC has offered the #4-ranked contender a “double bonus” if he puts Dariush away inside the distance.

    “And Beneil and Islam, this is truly and 100% number-one contender fight. Who’s gonna win, they gonna fight for the title. And UFC told Islam (this),” Khabib told ESPN MMA. ” And you know what’s interesting? If Islam finish him, they gonna give him double bonus. And you know, it’s very interesting,” the former UFC champion said with a smirk. “This is just private news. I just want to share it with you and friends because it’s very interesting. And UFC really, really want this fight.”

    So a guaranteed title fight and a double bonus? Dana White is certainly playing the role of Santa for the Makhachev camp this Christmas.

    While “The Eagle” added that he’s not certain if Dariush has been offered the same, it’s hard to imagine this being a one-sided offer. Although if the promotion is as high on Makhachev as many believe, perhaps these are the lengths they’re willing to go to push a favored fighter..

    What do you make of the UFC’s offer of a double bonus to Islam Makhachev if he finishes Beneil Dariush?

  • Beneil Dariush: The UFC Offered Me Makhachev Matchup For UFC 267

    UFC lightweight contender Beneil Dariush has revealed that the UFC had hoped to book his matchup with Islam Makhachev for this year.

    Dariush’s rise towards the top of the 155-pound ladder has certainly been memorable. Since losses to Edson Barboza and Alexander Hernandez, the 32-year-old has built a seven-fight winning streak, which includes submission wins against Drew Dober and Frank Camacho, highlight-reel knockouts of Drakkar Klose and Scott Holtzman, and a display of total dominance against former interim champion Tony Ferguson.

    Now ranked #3 in the division and seemingly just one step from a meeting in the Octagon with the champion, Dariush will look to secure his first title shot when he faces Makhachev. The pair are set to collide in the main event of a UFC Fight Night on February 26.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CWyQIc0twjW/

    A Fight Months In The Making

    Despite the booking being targeted for the second month of 2022, Dariush has revealed that the promotion’s original plan was for the two top-five contenders to meet in Abu Dhabi at UFC 267.

    During an appearance on DC & RC, the Iranian-born American told Daniel Cormier that he was unable to make the Abu-Dhabi-held event due to the birth of his child. While he’d initially hoped to push the matchup back to December, the UFC were keen to have Makhachev appear on Fight Island.

    “Man, I’m stoked. Big respect to Islam and Khabib and that team, they’re one of the best teams right now in the game. It was kinda hard getting this matchup because obviously, our manager (Ali Abdelaziz) was like, ‘You guys are the best in the division, I want you guys fighting for the title,’ and also, the timing for the last fight, for Islam, he needed to do Abu Dhabi, and I just had a baby, so I couldn’t do Abu Dhabi. I told them I could do December, and they said no, he had to be there. So it was a little bit tricky, but I’m stoked for this fight man. Islam is so good. He’s one of the best guys, if not the best.”

    When questioned on the failed plans, Dariush revealed that UFC President Dana White had proposed the fight with Makhachev after the surging Dagestani submitted Thiago Moisés in the main event of UFC Vegas 31 in July.

    “Remember when Islam fought Thiago Moisés? Dana said, ‘Hey, I want him to fight Dariush.’ And I was like, ‘Man, if we could do December, that makes perfect sense for me. Let’s go.’ And I found out that Islam had to do October 30 for Abu Dhabi because he has such a big fanbase and they love him over there and they had to have him over there, which I was like, ‘Alright, I understand but like, I just had a baby, I have no clue what I’m doing.’”

    In the end, Makhachev faced Dan Hooker at UFC 267 after original opponent Rafael dos Anjos withdrew through injury. With a brutal first-round kimura, the 30-yar-old burst into title contention and eventually set up a clash with the equally in-form Dariush.

    How do you think the fight between Beneil Dariush and Islam Makhachev will play out?

  • Rafael dos Anjos Trades Barbs With ‘Khabib Wannabe’ Islam Makhachev

    Rafael dos Anjos and Islam Makhachev are back at it once again, throwing insults back and forth.

    dos Anjos and Makhachev have been on the docket to fight each other on multiple occasions, with the fight falling through each time for various reasons. This has led to a beef between the two that has ebbed and flowed throughout the years, never ceasing to entertain.

    The most recent of these interactions came when dos Anjos posted a clip of an altercation between he and Conor McGregor to Twitter, captioning it by saying that the Irishman was lucky that guards were between them. Makhachev chimed in by noting that there were no guards stopping RDA during that altercation.

    “Let’s meet without security to break up the fight. See you in 2022,” dos Anjos wrote, directing his message to McGregor.

    “There was no security around you man ?” Makhachev quipped.

    This led to a fiery response from dos Anjos, who brought up the fact that Islam Makhachev has not faced any former champions and saying that he only has hype because of his close relationship with former lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov.

    In response, the Dagestani made the point that he was booked to fight RDA, but the Brazilian withdrew.

    “How many champions have you fought? How many main events? You only getting the hype because of your brother, Get my name out of your dirty mouth Khabib wanna be,” dos Anjos said.

    “Never fought champion, because you keep pulling out, unfortunately,” said Makhachev in response.

    Finally, dos Anjos stated that Makhachev is lucky to not be facing him and that he must be his manager, Ali Abdelaziz’s favorite fighter. However, Makhachev countered this by somewhat sarcastically saying that this honor clearly belongs to Justin Gaethje, who appears to be getting the title shot over him while he instead faces Beneil Dariush.

    “Btw you’re lucky because you’re yours manager’s favorite,” dos Anjos tweeted.

    “Wrong, Justin is favorite , he’s fighting for title ???,” responded Makhachev.

    This was an entertaining back-and-forth between Rafael dos Anjos and Islam Makhachev. While it is unclear if they will ever end up actually fighting, it is always entertaining to see them trading barbs online.