Islam Makhachev issues bone-chilling declaration amid Charles Oliveira’s plan for rematch

Islam Makhachev, the pound-for-pound king of the UFC, had a stern message for the lightweight contenders. This is after Arman Tsarukyan called out Islam Makhachev and vowed to knock him out after a quick KO over Beneil Dariush at UFC Austin.

Makhachev last fought featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski in the main event of UFC 294 at the Etihad Arena in the UAE. The first-round KO victory at the event made him pound-for-pound number one, dropping Jon Jones to second and Volkanovksi to third.

Makhachev’s ominous message to UFC rivals

Islam Makhachev recently appeared on a Russian talk show where he talked about his intent to fight three times in 2024. However, the rumors of a rematch with Charles Oliveira at UFC 297 were put to a halt by Dana White, who went for a middleweight title clash at UFC 297 in Canada. Moreover, White insinuated that the lightweight title clash will be in the summer of 2024.

However, Arman Tsarukyan’s impressive victory over Dariush threw a wrench in the plans and Dana White is now interested in a Tsarukyan-Makhachev rematch in the Middle East. Their initial encounter was at UFC Fight Night 149, where Makhachev earned a hard-fought unanimous decision victory over the UFC debutant, Arman Tsarukyan.

“Arman, Dustin, Justin, Charles they all good, they’re TOP 5 in the world, but none of them will get the belt, while I’m here. That’s it!@ufc@espnmma”, Makhachev tweeted on X, calling himself the best out of Arman Tarukyan, Dustin Poirier, Justin Gaethje, and Charles Oliveira, who are the top four ranked contenders in the division.

Moreover, Makhachev vowed that no one will get the belt as long as he is the lightweight champion in the promotion. The ominous message is set against the backdrop of a first-round KO of the former pound-for-pound king, Alexander Volaknosvki. Charles Oliveira was the original opponent for Makhachev at UFC 294, but Volkanovski replaced the injured Oliveira on 12 days’ notice.

Charles Oliveira sets sights on Islam Makhachev rematch

Diego Lima, the head coach of Charles Oliveira at Chute Boxe Academy, recently spoke to Sherdog and provided the plans of his star pupil, Charles ‘Do Bronx’ Oliveira. They are targeting a fight with Islam Makhachev for UFC 299 in Miami. The event already has a title fight scheduled with Sean O’Malley and Marlon Vera for the bantamweight title.

“Charles wants that rematch with Makhachev in March before Ramadan, so that will be our main focus, but if the UFC wants us to wait for Ramadan, we will do it,” said Lima. “The most important thing for us is to have Charles face Islam next,” he further added. The Brazilians are in no hurry to face the Dagestani champion. They are ready whenever the promotion calls for the fight.

After losing the title fight against Islam Makhachev at UFC 280, Oliveira rebounded with a first-round TKO over Beneil Dariush at UFC 289. Oliveira was scheduled to fight Islam Makhachev for the rematch in Abu Dhabi but suffered a cut above the eye during sparring and was replaced by Alexander Volkanovski.

Oliveira was the sure shot to get the next title shot, as Dana White said, which makes sense over BMF champion Justin Gaethje. Unfortunately for Oliveira, Arman Tsarukyan made a statement with a 64-second KO over Beneil Dariush, whom Oliveira took almost a round to defeat. In the press conference, Tsarukyan even demanded the title shot, citing his case to be greater than that of Oliveira and Gaethje.

Who do you think will dethrone Islam Makhachev at lightweight? Leave your prediction below!