UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev will be keen to remind fans who is the king of the lightweight division after a red-hot night for the division at UFC 300.
The Dagestani fighter will take on Dustin Poirier in the third defense of the title he won against Charles Oliveira back in 2022, after two wins over Alexander Volkanovski last year.
Makhachev has no shortage of contenders keen to take his lightweight crown and he is in training ahead of his June 1 defense.
Contents
- Who is Islam Makhachev fighting next?
- Which other lightweight contenders could be next in line?
- What is Islam Makhachev’s MMA record?
Who is Islam Makhachev fighting next?
Dustin Poirier has been confirmed as Makhachev’s next opponent.
Makhachev will defend his UFC world lightweight title against the “Diamond” on the co-main event of UFC 302 in Newark, New Jersey, on Saturday, June 1.
The middleweight bout between former world champion Sean Strickland and Paulo Costa will be the co-main event.
The moment Dana White announced…#UFC302 – June 1st🏆 Islam Makhachev vs Dustin Poirier💥 Sean Strickland vs Paulo Costa#UFC303 – June 29th🤩 Conor McGregor vs Michael Chandler pic.twitter.com/44IiZuAK2A
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) April 14, 2024
Speaking about a possible fight with Poirier prior to the announcement, Makhachev’s coach Javier Mendez told King Casino Bonus: “I do know Islam will be fighting soon because I’m going to Dagestan soon to train him.
“I kind of like the Dustin one, Dustin was talking about Islam and Islam responded, so I like the banter, the back and forth, there’s already history there, so I like the storyline with Dustin.”
Which other lightweight contenders could be next in line?
Both Arman Tsarukyan and Max Holloway emerged victorious in huge lightweight fights on the UFC 300 bill.
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Holloway knocked out Justin Gaethje in one of the most dramatic knockouts in UFC history, but he looks more likely to drop back down to featherweight to challenge Ilia Topuria for his belt.
Meanwhile, Tsarukyan beat former lightweight world champion Charles Oliveira and he could well be next in line for the winner of Makhachev vs Poirier.
Makhachev beat Tsarukyan back in 2019 but the Armenian fighter would welcome a rematch with the current lightweight world champion.
Speaking after his win over Oliveira, Tsarukyan said: “Give me [a] title shot.
“With Islam, a rematch, I’m going to win. Doesn’t matter how. I just need to win that fight because I want to be a champion. The best-case scenario is knock him out.”
What is Islam Makhachev’s MMA record?
Makhachev’s MMA record stands at 25 wins and one defeat.
The only blemish on his record came way back in 2015 when he was knocked out by Brazilian veteran Adriano Martins.