Islam Makhachev may have a ready opponent waiting for him at lightweight, but that’s not his main concern.
After submitting Dustin Poirier via Bravo choke in the fifth round of the main event of UFC 302 on Saturday night at Prudential Arena in Newark, New Jersey, Makhachev expressed interest in moving up to 170 pounds in an attempt to become a two-division champion, and reiterated that sentiment during Saturday’s post-fight press conference.
“Who doesn’t want to be a double champion? This is history. [do] “Can we do it? It’s every fighter’s dream to win a second belt,” Makhachev said.
“This is my dream. I want to go down in history and be known as a double champion. This is my dream. If I get the chance, even if it’s a small chance, I will take it. If you want to leave a great legacy, you have to win the second belt. That’s my opinion.”
With his win over Poirier, Makhachev successfully defended his UFC lightweight title for a third time, tying him for the most titles in UFC history, but extending his dominance to that record doesn’t appear to be his main goal.
“I [people who say I] “Breaking records and stuff like that. If you want to achieve greatness, you’ve got to get that second belt. That’s my opinion,” he said.
The current No. 1 contender in the 155-pound division is Arman Tsarukyan, who lost to Makhachev in his surprise Octagon debut at UFC Fight Night 149 in April 2019. The American Top Team star, who also competed at UFC 302, has won 9 of his 10 fights since then, including a win over Charles Oliveira in which he was viewed as a potential title shot.
Makhachev doesn’t seem particularly keen on the possibility of a return fight with Tsarukyan, but is open to the bout if that’s what the organization wants.
“I’m ready,” Makhachev said. “Dana [White] Here is my number, call me and give me a new challenge. [in front of me]There’s no point in a rematch. I need a new challenge. But if Dana wants [the Tsarukyan rematch]”, Let’s try it. No problem.”
