Islam Makhachev is confident he can move up a division and win a second UFC title.
Lightweight champion Islam Makhachev (24-1 MMA, 13-1 UFC) is set to defend his title at UFC 294 on Oct. 22 in Abu Dhabi. Although his priority is to defend his belt, he also aspires to champion-champion status.
Analyzing UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards (21-3 MMA, 13-2 UFC), who has beaten Kamaru Usman twice, Makhachev sees himself doing well against him.
“It’s my dream, and I’m sure I can become a double champion,” Makhachev said in an interview. “I can beat Leon Edwards. He showed good defense against takedowns. With me it’s going to be different. I can box with him, I can submit him, take him down. Anywhere I can beat this guy. me just a chance, and that’s it. Maybe after I win a second belt, they’ll consider me the best pound-for-pound.”
Makhachev is coming off a close decision victory over featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 284 in February. Makhachev was aiming for the No. 1 spot in the UFC pound-for-pound rankings, but he stayed in No. 2 despite the win.
With the return of Jon Jones and his express victory over Ciryl Gane to claim the vacant heavyweight title at UFC 285 in March, “Bones” is now at the top of the P4P rankings, relegating Makhachev to third place.
Coach Islam Makhachev wants revenge against Charles Oliveira
“That’s crap, bro,” Makhachev said. “How can Jon Jones be number 1? He beat a guy who’s not a champion. This guy (Gane) doesn’t have a belt, and they put him at the top of the pound-for-pound rankings. C is crap. … It doesn’t matter how he beat him. The UFC considers him the best pound-for-pound. But other people who know MMA, they know who the best fighter in the world is. . Don’t call me lightweight champion. Call me the best pound-for-pound fighter.”
