LAS VEGAS – Islam Makhachev appears to be accomplished welcoming challengers from 145 kilos.
Makhachev, UFC light-weight champion, has defended his title twice towards Alexander Volkanovski, who was then champion of the featherweight division. Nonetheless reigning and 2-0 towards featherweight challengers, Makhachev says he’s accomplished with these varieties of matchups, which suggests dangerous information for Ilia Topuria.
“No, man. I’m bored with giving likelihood to small guys,” Makhachev mentioned at Friday’s UFC 311 press convention in Las Vegas. “I want my second belt. It’s nothing thrilling. He’s fighter. He’s expertise fighter, however I don’t wish to give him an opportunity. I want second belt. That struggle for what? For me, is nothing. It’s simply his title, and I don’t want his title. I want the belt.”
Since profitable the UFC featherlight belt towards Volkanovski earlier this yr, Topuria has been campaigning for a shot a turning into a two-division UFC champion. Most just lately, Topuria mentioned he’d prefer to return in Spring 2025 and tackle Makhachev.
Topuria is coming off a powerful KO win over former champion Max Holloway in the primary occasion of UFC 308 in October. The victory marked his first title protection.
Then again, Makhachev is ready to headline UFC 311 on Jan. 18 in Los Angeles. He takes on Arman Tsarykyan in a rematch that stems from a 2019 meet.
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