Sports
‘He Will Smash Everybody’- Daniel Cormier Claims The Lightweight Division is Ducking Islam Makhachev
Rising UFC lightweight fighter Islam Makhachev is on his way to face Brazilian Thiago Moises at July 17 UFC event this year. Makhachev has proven his worth as he is riding on a 7 match win streak. Despite such a record, the top 10 fighters of the division have constantly overlooked him.
During the talk show, DC and Helwani, the latter showed astonishment at Islam facing a lower-ranked fighter instead of elite tier ones.
Daniel Cormier too didn’t have an answer for the constant ducking by the top fighters on Makhachev’s offer for fighting with him. However, he detailed some of his observations and reasons for the same.
‘DC’ said, “You know what’s crazy? Islam, me, and Khabib were on a group message. We were talking about who’s next, who’s next… Nobody will fight him, Ariel.
“Nobody would fight. So it’s like, he will smash everybody. Just fight whatever is offered to you, beat them up, and eventually, you will get a fight (with top 10). If he wins enough Ariel, he deserves a title fight,” he said.
Cormier further said that he advised Makhachev to fight Moises and continue his push. He even said fighters like Felder and RDA and other top 10 fighters strictly declined Makhachev’s offer.
“I don’t know what more he can do but just to compete and make money and keep working his way towards the championship,” he added.
At last, Cormier compared Makhachev’s situation to Kamaru Usman‘s earlier days. He too was ignored when he was trying to rise, but eventually, his hard work paid off and now he is the welterweight kingpin.
READ MORE: Dana White Hints at Next Fight for Beneil Dariush Post UFC 262
Islam Makhachev recently bashed top 10 fighters for ignoring him
Makhachev (9-1) recently had lashed out at the top 10 fighters for ignoring him. He described how no one accepted his fight but it will not stop him from surging ahead.
He wrote, “TOP 10 of LW division is a bunch of old ass slick fighters. Not a single one accepted the fight they were offered. NO MATTER WHAT, I’M GONNA KEEP MOVING AND GET THAT BELT SOON, with or without these clowns. See you July 17.”
TOP 10 of LW division is a bunch of old ass slick fighters. Not a single one accepted the fight they were offered.
NO MATTER WHAT, I’M GONNA KEEP MOVING AND GET THAT BELT SOON, with or without these clowns. See you July 17 @ufc @espnmma https://t.co/j0Df3tNDaT— Makhachev Islam (@MAKHACHEVMMA) May 13, 2021
For now, Makhachev should look out for his next opponent, Moises, who is unbeaten in his last 3 fights. If he can continue his momentum, soon enough he will force UFC to match a higher-ranked opponent for him.
Will Makhachev fight a top 10 fighter before the year ends?
The post ‘He Will Smash Everybody’- Daniel Cormier Claims The Lightweight Division is Ducking Islam Makhachev appeared first on EssentiallySports.