Islam Makhachev hates BMF title: ‘I don’t want that shit’
The undisputed lightweight champion of the UFC has been busy with his trash talk in the last few days. Islam Makhachev took shots at the upcoming UFC 291 matchup between Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje for the BMF belt. Makhachev is clearly hungry for a fight after a less-than-convincing first title defense against Alexander Volkanovski.
“I can beat them,” Makhachev said to Daniel Cormier. “I can fight with Poirier or Gaethje but I don’t need this BMF s***, brother. That’s it. I can beat these guys easy. I think the better fight for me [is] with Gaethje or Poirier because, for the fans, the people gonna watch this fight. But without this belt, please. I can say, ‘Dana. Tell this guy keep this belt in the home, come to the fight.’”
““I don’t want that s***,” he added. “This belt for the bums, you know? First time, who fight for this belt? Nate Diaz and [Jorge] Masvidal. The people who never can be champion, you know? They give him some belt. ‘Guys, be happy. Fight for BMF.’ Bro, what is this? I don’t know. They have to stop this after this (laughs). Stop.
“Gaethje and Poirier, I don’t know when — they fight for the real belt many times and they always lose, you know? Now Dana [White] like good guy, give them other belt. ‘Guys, you have to be BMF champion.’ Honestly, if somebody give me this belt tomorrow, I don’t want this s***. Of course, brother. Keep this away from me. Never say this fight gonna be vs. lightweight champion and BMF champion. Never say this, okay?”
Although a product of strict and disciplined Dagestan training, Islam Makhachev seems to really understand the promotion and business aspect of the UFC. He often uses Daniel Cormier’s YouTube channel to promote himself and his fights. He did so again on Monday with his comments about the fight for the BMF title on July 29.
Quotes via MMA Fighting.
Islam Makhachev managing to take shots at four probable UFC Hall of Famers is pretty astonishing, roasting not just the upcoming matchup between Poirier and Gaethje, but the initial BMF title fight between Jorge Masvidal and Nate Diaz.
The creation of the belt did fit the specific matchup between Masvidal and Diaz at the time. Reviving the idea for a fight that does not need the added promotion is not a smart move by Dana White. Especially considering the first matchup between Poirier and Gaethje was a fight-of-the-year candidate. If the winner of the rematch earns a fight against Islam Makhachev, the storyline has already begun.
Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje have both achieved UFC interim gold, but never undisputed. They both leave their heart and soul in the octagon in virtually every fight, making them major fan favorites.
However, they have lost both of their undisputed title fights, to the same two people. Khabib Nurmagomedov submitted Poirier and Gaethje in the last two fights of his career and, most recently, former lightweight champion Charles Oliveira submitted them both via rear naked choke.
This, along with other factors, makes an Oliveira vs. Makhachev rematch the fight to make. Immediately following Oliveira’s first-round TKO victory over Beneil Dariush on Saturday, Makhachev tweeted, “Congrats Charles. But still there’s levels in this game.”
Congrats Charles.
— Makhachev Islam (@MAKHACHEVMMA) June 11, 2023
But still there’s levels in this game
Oliveira looked impressive in his first fight since losing the belt to Makhachev in Abu Dhabi. He seems more poised and hungrier than ever to regain his title. Given the fact that he has beat Poirier, Gaethje and now Dariush, Oliveira not receiving a title rematch would be an abomination.
The winner of the BMF title fight would then likely receive the next opportunity. The always impressive lightweight division is heating up dramatically.
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