Islam Makhachev fires back at critics who question his previous opposition ahead of UFC 280 title fight with Charles Oliveira.
The Russian native felt the need to explain why he’s yet to face a top-ranked lightweight and also claims Oliveira has been avoiding him for a matter of years.
The pairing is set to clash at UFC 280, and the 31-year addressed the issue in an interview with Shak
Islam Makhachev Addresses Previous Opponents Ahead of UFC 280
“All these guys from the top, they avoid me for many years,” Makhachev said. “But, this is not my mistake, I just fight who they put in front of me, I never choose some opponents and now this problem is gonna finish because now I’m gonna be champion and they’re gonna call me [champion]… All my professional career, I have this problem. I called [Michael] Chandler, I called Poirier, I called Gaethje, all these guys, but they were not going to answer. People still say Islam not beat someone from the top but this is not my problem. I always want to fight these top guys but they never give me an answer. This is not my problem.”
Makhachev has been vocal in expressing his worry about his opponent Oliveira not turning up to fight. Furthering his statement saying the former lightweight champion has avoided him in the past.
“For example, Charles Oliveira. He tried to avoid me, he said I need new contract, he said I want to fight in Brazil…I want the money fight,” he continued.
Makhachev’s most notable victory is Dan Hooker, and he is yet to face a top-five-ranked lightweight.
What do you think of Islam Makhachev’s body of work up until now?
Featured image credits to Embed from Getty Images
