Islam
Makhachev might have a ready-made contender in the lightweight
division awaiting him, but that isn’t the option that intrigues him
the most.
After submitting Dustin
Poirier with a brabo choke in the fifth round of the UFC 302
headliner at the Prudential Arena in Newark, New Jersey, on
Saturday night, Makhachev expressed interest in moving to 170
pounds in an attempt to become a two-division champion. He then
reiterated that sentiment during Saturday’s post-fight press
conference.
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“Who doesn’t want to be double champion? This is history. How many
double champions [do] we have? This is a dream for all fighters, to
get second belt,” Makhachev said.
“This is my dream. I want to be in the history and people know me
like double champ. This is my dream. If I have chance, a small
chance, I will get. If you want a great legacy, you have to get
second belt. It’s my opinion.”
By besting Poirier, Makhachev made his third successful title
defense, which ties him for the most in UFC lightweight history.
However, gaining sole possession of that record doesn’t appear to
be the primary objective.
“I don’t follow the [people who say I] beat some record or
something like this. If you want a great legacy, you have to get
second belt. It’s my opinion,” he said.
The current No. 1 contender in waiting at 155 pounds is Arman
Tsarukyan, who lost to Makhachev in his short-notice Octagon
debut at UFC Fight Night 149 in April 2019. The American Top Team
standout, who was in attendance at UFC 302, has won nine of 10
outings since then, including a triumph over Charles
Oliveira tha was deemed a title eliminator.
Though Makhachev didn’t seem especially enthused about the
possibility of a return date with Tsarukyan, he’ll accept the fight
if that’s what the promotion desires.
“I’m ready, man,” Makhachev said. “Dana [White] has my number. Just
call me and put some new challenge [in front of me]. … It does not
make sense when you have rematch. I need some new challenge. But if
Dana wants [the Tsarukyan rematch], let’s do it. No problem.”