UFC Champion Islam Makhachev Reveals Plan For Next Title Defense

"Now everybody wants to take my belt."

Islam Makhachev has revealed an expected timeline for his next UFC lightweight title defense.

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Currently the UFC’s #1-ranked pound-for-pound fighter, Makhachev last stepped into the cage at UFC 294 and knocked out Alexander Volkanovski when the Australian stepped in for Charles Oliveira on short notice.

The 32-year-old’s performance against Volkanovski was especially shocking after their first meeting was a tightly-contested affair, and in a recent interview with MMA Squad the lightweight king revealed he’s planning to return in June or July of this year. 

Makhachev defeated Volkanovski in his last two fights.  :: (Giuseppe Cacace/AFP)

“June [or] July I have next fight,” Makhachev said. “I did just one training every day, but nothing hard. But I’m still training every day, because I’m a champion. I have to defend my belt, I have to be ready always. Now everybody wants to take my belt.”

Makhachev has now defended his lightweight title twice after he won it from Oliveira at UFC 280, and as impressive as his wins over Volkanovski were it seems like fans are ready to see the Dagestani fighter test himself against an actual lightweight next.

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The lightweight division certainly has no shortage of potential challengers, and after Oliveira missed out on his rematch with Makhachev at UFC 294 the Brazilian is now set to take on Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 300 in a potential title eliminator.

UFC 300 also features #2-ranked Justin Gaethje defending his BMF title against Max Holloway, and “The Highlight” has already indicated he’d like a crack at Makhachev after he previously came up short against his teammate Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 254.

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