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UFC Lightweight Champion Islam Makhachev last competed at UFC 294, defeating UFC Featherweight Champion Alexander Volkanovski by first round knockout.
Some expect Makhachev to have rematches with former UFC Lightweight Champion Charles Oliveira or surging contender Arman tsarukyan next, but Makhachev doesn’t want any rematches right now, instead he is focusing on BMF Champion Justin Gaethje.
“To be honest, I’ve already told [UFC] I’m not interested in rematches,” Makhachev said in an interview in Russia over the weekend (transcript via Drake Riggs of MMA Fighting). “Because if you want to [be a champion] in a good way, you have to add new names. There is Gaethje, who I would say deserved a fight. I think it would be more interesting to fight him. I think in March, maybe.”
Makhachev was scheduled to fight Oliveira in a rematch at UFC 294, but Oliveira was injured while training for the bout and was forced to withdrawal.
The lightweight champion may also be looking at achieving a new goal in his career, which is to become a two division champion.
“The second belt,” Makhachev said. “I did not choose an opponent. The second belt is the fight of a dream. This is what motivates me at the moment. Win both belts, defend both belts. I’ve already defended one. Now I have to defend the second one. Maybe if there is some new motivation [that will change] but this is the highest step for me now.”
