Islam Makhachev to Volkanovski: “LW title fight is mine”
Last Saturday, UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski made his third consecutive title defense against Chan Sung Jung at UFC 273.
The bout marked his 24th professional win and 21st consecutive victory. Following the bout, Volkanovski (24-1-0) turned his sights to the lightweight division.
On Tuesday, Volkanovski told Luke Thomas of Morning Kombat, “I think I earned it [a 155 lb title fight]”
“I believe I’m in a good position and I don’t think I need to try and climb the ladder with where I’m at. I’m undefeated at lightweight too, remember that,” Volkanovski said.
In response to Volkanovski teasing a move up to the lightweight division, number three ranked lightweight contender Islam Makhachev told Volkanovski to “hold your horses cowboy.”
Makhachev tells the champion, “you have a division full of young sharks, more than enough to stay busy. LW title fight is mine.”
Hold your horses cowboy., you have division full of young sharks, more than enough to stay busy.
LW title fight is mine🎯 https://t.co/425FhY795S— Makhachev Islam (@MAKHACHEVMMA) April 12, 2022
Makhachev (22-1-0) has been putting in work in the UFC’s lightweight division since signing with the promotion in 2015. He currently is on a 10 fight win streak with victories over the likes of Drew Dober, Dan Hooker, and Bobby Green.
Ranked at third in the division, it is likely that Islam Makhachev will find himself facing the winner of the title bout between champion Charles Olivera and Justin Gaethje, which takes place at UFC 274 on May 7th.
That is, of course, unless Volkanovski slides in and fights for the title first.
With no word on who will get the next title shot in the lightweight division following the May 7th event, odds are it will be one of these two men.
Who would you like to see fight for the lightweight strap next?
