“He Said He Wanted to Fight 3X Next and Now He’s Saying This?” – Islam Makhachev Backtracks on Earlier Claims and Fans Just Can’t Stop Belittling Him After Justin Gaethje Remark

UFC lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev has been ranked the No.1 pound-for-pound fighter in the promotion after beating Alexander Volkanovski twice. Makhachev was scheduled to fight Charles Oliviera at UFC 294 but, Oliviera pulled out due to suffering an injury. Makhachev has claimed to want to fight at least 3 times in a year. But against whom?

Islam Makhachev is currently the best lightweight in the world. However, there are plenty of hungry fighters who seek to claim his gold. Nonetheless, Makhachev has his sights set on a new contender in Justin Gaethje and fans are not having any part of it.

Fans react to the lightweight champion wanting to fight Justin Gaethje

Makhachev recently came out saying that he wishes to defend his title against Justin Gaethje in his next fight. He claimed that he wished to fight someone he hadn’t fought or beaten before.

The UFC lightweight champion’s statement didn’t sit well with the fans. Some even claim that the UFC champion is looking for easy fights. His comments were met with a lot of negativity from the fans as they believe that Oliveira or Tsarukyan would be much tougher competition for Makhachev.

Here are some of the comments from fight fans-

One fan implied that Makhachev was trying to duck Oliveira.

“Why he trynna duck Charles”

While another questioned Makhachev’s claims of fighting three times a year.

“He said he wanted to fight 3x next year and now he’s saying this?!? Who the fuck will he fight? Bobby green? Paddy?”

Makhachev was accused of ducking real threats by another fan, stating-

“Looks like someone started ducking real threats”

Another questioned Makhachev about being scared of Oliveira and Tsarukyan, as the fan stated-

“Scared of Charles and Arman already?”

Makhachev’s fans implied that the champion was looking for an easier fight with Gaethje.

“Huge Islam fan but to be honest Justin is a much easier fight than Charles and Arman”

One fan even claimed that Oliveira deserves to get the title shot first because of his performances against other top fighters in the division.

“Charles finished every top 5 (except him) and only lost against him in a long long time and win streak, so he absolutely deserve it. He have to be the first!!!”

A comment in the post implied that Tsarukyan would win the belt if he fought against Makhachev.

“Because Arman will take the belt”

Another stated that Makhachev will have to fight who the UFC wants him to fight.

“He’ll fight who Dana tells him too. He doesn’t call the shots.”

Given Makhachev’s dominance over the lightweight division, it is not surprising to see fans wanting to see him face more challenging contenders. And in other news, Makhachev was also called out by welterweight Title Contender, Colby Covington ahead of his fight against Leon Edwards at UFC 296.

Colby Covington calls out Islam Makhachev for a super fight at welterweight

Colby ‘Chaos’ Covington is set to take on UFC Welterweight champion Leon ‘Rocky’ Edwards at UFC 296. Though Covington is yet to win the welterweight gold, he took no time to call out UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev for a super fight, even going as far as calling Makhachev a weight bully!

Islam Makhachev is yet to defend his belt against someone not named Alexander Volkanovski, so a jump up to welterweight would stall the lightweight division. However, a fight between the two would certainly draw in a lot of eyes for the fight.

Also Read: “Sorry to Everyone” – Anthony Smith Breaks Silence With an Emotional Statement After Khalil Rountree Spares Him Extra Damage During Beatdown at UFC Vegas 83

If the MMA stars align and Covington wins the welterweight belt, would you be interested to see Covington face off against Makhachev in a super fight? Or would you rather watch Makhachev defend his title against the likes of Oliveira and Tsarukyan in his division? Let us know in the comments below.

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