Following his last-minute title defense against Renato Moicano at UFC 311, Islam Makhachev is already eyeing his potential next defense.
The unstoppable lightweight champion was originally scheduled to defend his title against Arman Tsarukyan in a rematch six years in the making, but Tsarukyan withdrew just hours before their fight.
In true champion fashion, Islam Makhachev told the UFC to put someone there with him in just 24 hours and Moicano was upgraded to the main event.
Makhachev once again showed why he is the pound-for-pound number one fighter in the world, scoring a first-round submission to break the UFC record for most title defenses in the 155lb division.
Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG
Islam Makhachev reveals he would like to fight Justin Gaethje
Following his impressive win, Makhachev boldly called out the middleweight champion, Dricus du Plessis as he ultimately detailed his plan to become a three-time champion.
Read more: Islam Makhachev explains why he could dethrone Dricus du plessis after 'jaw-dropping' comments
Despite this, he is unlikely to fight 'Stillknocks' as the 185-pound King is scheduled to defend his title against Sean Strickland at UFC 312.
The vast majority of the UFC fanbase assumed Tsarukyan would be rescheduled to fight for the title after missing his title shot, but Dana White stated after UFC 311 that he will not fight for the next belt.
And with that, the Russian champion has surprisingly revealed that he is interested in a potential fight against Justin Gaethje.
'The Highlight' is scheduled to face Dan Hooker at UFC 313 and for that scrap, Gaethje has adjusted his interest in fighting Makhachev.
“Well, I like this idea (of fighting Gaethje) because I haven't fought Justin yet, and if you look at the others on the list, Charles Oliveira, Arman Tsarukyan, I've already fought them and prepared for the same opponent not that much of a motivation,” he told Ushatayka.
“If Gaethje shows himself well in the next fight, we can meet,” he continued.
The 36-year-old is without a win since his emphatic head kick over Dustin Poirier at UFC 291 in July 2023.
Islam Makhachev has revealed when he would like to return
With Makhachev's title defense coming at the start of the year and him coming out unscathed, he already has a return date in mind.
The lightweight king said he is targeting a return to the Octagon in July or possibly sooner. With Gaethje's fight against Hooker scheduled for March, July could be too quick of a turnaround for him as that fight is expected to be a brutal affair.
However, in recent years Gaethje's activity has understandably slowed down, if he comes through 'The Hangman' and is offered a title shot he may not want to turn down the opportunity.
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