Light-weight champion Islam Makhachev is as soon as once more choosing on featherweight fighters.
Since profitable the 155 pound belt, Makhachev has fought former 145 pound champion Alexander Volkanovski twice, and now he says he’s open to combating one other 145er in Max Holloway.
Holloway is scheduled to battle Ilia Topuria in the principle occasion of UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi — a card that was initially presupposed to function Makhachev vs. Arman Tsarukyan. However an Islam hand harm scrapped that, and now Mak sees Max as a possible higher choice than Arman.
“Why not?” he mentioned of a Holloway battle at a latest Q&A session. “I already beat Arman. If UFC places him subsequent, that’s no drawback. However, I’m not excited a lot [by Tsarukyan]. I want new title, new challenger. I already beat Arman.”
“If Max desires, let’s do it. I don’t want his BMF belt, however Max is an efficient title. It’s going to be a loopy battle for the followers. If he beats Topuria — it is a arduous match-up for him. If he beats him and UFC desires this match? Let’s go.”
It looks like Makhachev is at all times keen to problem these smaller fighters with greater names, fairly than focus on fights at his personal weight class. It’s one thing Max Holloway has referred to as him out for previously.
“I noticed Islam speak about, ‘Oh, this battle is unnecessary,’ and blah, blah, blah,” Max mentioned main as much as UFC 300. “Brother, you need to’ve fought Justin in February.”
That being mentioned, Holloway does has his eye on Makhachev’s belt.
“If I can go on the market and get my hand raised like we plan on doing, there’s lots of fights that may be there for us. And one in all them being the 155 champ, which I believe could be a enjoyable one.”
