Islam Makhachev only wants new names to add to his records, underscoring he’s not interested in rematches. That includes the fights he’s expected to have against Charles Oliveira and Arman Tsarukyan. According to the fighter, Justin Gaethje is a more suitable option for him.
Makhachev has a lot of callouts in his division after taking the belt and becoming the pound-for-pound king of UFC. One of the expected fights he expected to soon face is against the No. 1-ranked fighter Charles Oliveira, to whom he snatched the 155-pound title in October last year. Aside from “Do Bronxs,” Tsarukyan also entered the title conversation after defeating Beneil Dariush via KO in their previous fight and entering the Top 5 of the division. “Ahalkalakets,” whom Makhachev defeated in 2019, also made several callouts, ensuring that the champ would know his intention for a rematch. The Russian fighter, nonetheless, is certain he’s not interested in such fights.
Islam Makhachev says that he is not interested in another rematch next (Tsarukyan or Oliveira) and that he wants to fight Justin Gaethje.
He mentions UFC 299 in Miami as an option 👀
via YT / Ushatayka pic.twitter.com/muMNBj8W7l
— Spinnin Backfist (@SpinninBackfist) December 9, 2023
In a recent interview, Makhachev explained his choice, saying the “good way” of obtaining a win is by defeating someone new. In line with this, Makhachev shared his strong preference for a bout against Gaethje, who is also in the title conversation as the No. 2-ranked fighter in the weight class, instead of the two earlier mentioned.
“To be honest, I’ve already said that I’m not that interested in rematches,” Makhachev said during an IBA Boxing event on Saturday in Dubai. “Because if you want to win someone in a good way, you have to add new names. There is Gaethje, who I would say deserved a fight. I think it would be more interesting to fight him.”
Despite this, Makhachev knows it is only his preference, admitting that he’ll still take the fight whatever the UFC offers him. As for his return, the 32-year-old is targeting two dates in March: the UFC Saudi Arabia debut on March 2 or UFC 299 in Miami on March 9. Nonetheless, the fighter, who is not planning to fight until he is 40, said the latter is a more suitable option.
