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'All that happened to McGregor, he deserves it': Makhachev talks about his upcoming fight, Poirier vs Oliviera
Former champions Khabib Nurmagomedov and Daniel Cormier have always talked highly of Makhachev and the fighter looks to justify the promise when he headlines the UFC Fight Night card against Thiago Moses on Saturday.
Islam Makhachev is a highly-touted fighter in the lightweight division. The number-nine ranked grappler has won 19 fights in his MMA career and has lost just one. He has often been tipped as the future lightweight champion in UFC. His last loss inside the Octagon came in 2015 and since then he has accumulated seven wins.
Former champions Khabib Nurmagomedov and Daniel Cormier have always talked highly of Makhachev and the fighter looks to justify the promise when he headlines the UFC Fight Night card against Thiago Moses on Saturday.
Islam talked to Hindustan Times in an exclusive conversation where he commented on his opponent, Dustin Poirier's rumoured fight with Charles Oliviera and Conor McGregor's injury.
Excerpts:-
Islam, how would you rate your opponent Thiago Moses?
He is a good fighter, he has good skills but I am at a different level.
If you had to predict how the result will go for the fight, what would your prediction be?
I think it will go for the finish in the second or third round.
Who would you like to face in your next match-up?
I would fight anyone from the top five but I would like someone who is two or three ranked.
How long do you think it would take for you to be fighting for the lightweight championship?
I think two more fights and I will be the number one contender.
Conor McGregor broke his ankle during his fight with Dustin Poirier? Do you think the result would have been different had he not been injured?
It will be nothing different as you can see the score was like 10-8. Dustin landed good ground and pound, some hard punches,
Do you think McGregor took trash-talking too far in his fight against Poirier?
He always talks too much. But now he involves family and his wife. It is not good. All that happened to McGregor, he deserves it.
It looks like Poirier would face Oliviera for the lightweight title. Who do you think comes out as the winner in that fight?
I trust Poirier, I think he is going to beat Oliviera. Poirier is a real tough guy, he has more experience.
Former champion Miesha Tate is also returning after five years on your card? Do you think she would still have the same attributes when she fights Marion Reneau?
I don’t think she is going to be the same, she is a little bit old now. But she has good experience. I don’t know, we’ll see.
Watch UFC Fight Night - Makhachev vs. Moises on July 18, 2021, LIVE on Sony Ten 2 & Sony Ten 3 (Hindi) channels from 7:30 AM IST
