The UFC’s lightweight division is the glamour division of the promotion where Islam Makhachev, the pound-for-pound king, reigns supreme. As of now, Makhachev is not without an opponent for his next fight but that certainly will change after UFC 299 and UFC 300.
With a plethora of high-profile lightweight fights at UFC 299 and UFC 300, the list of contenders will certainly grow for Makhachev. One such contender, Mateusz Gamrot, had made his case known after his fight with Rafael Dos Anjos in the prelims of UFC 299.
Mateusz Gamrot calls out Islam Makhachev following UFC 299 win
Mateusz Gamrot came back from an early scare in round 1 of his bout with Rafael Dos Anjos to claim a unanimous decision victory. Gamrot was the backup fighter at UFC 294 but did not get the opportunity to fight the champion Islam Makhachev even though Charles Oliveira pulled out of the bout. Instead of Gamrot, the promotion roped in Alexander Volkanovski on short notice.
Now, with victory at UFC 299, Gamrot has set his sights on the undisputed lightweight champion. “I am next in line, and I have a message to the champ, Islam. A lot of respect for him…we check who’s wrestling’s better, Dagestan wrestling versus Poland wrestling,” Gamrot called out Islam Makhachev. “Islam, Don’t go anywhere,” Gamrot shouted as he walked back to the dressing room.
Gamrot even agreed that he is still one or perhaps two fights away from a title shot. The victor of Benoit Saint-Denis versus Dustin Poirier, Max Holloway vs Justin Gaethje, or Arman Tsarukyan vs Charles Oliveira, will all have a bigger claim than Gamrot and the Polish fighter knows it as well.
Gamrot’s fight against Dos Anjos did not exactly make his case better. After Dos Anjos rocked Gamrot with a head kick in round one, Gamrot went on the defensive and leaned on his wrestling to eke past a decision victory, much to the dismay and boos of the fans.
Islam Makhachev’s potential next bout
Dana White had already announced that the bout between Arman Tsarukyan and Charles Oliveira at UFC 300 is a number one contender lightweight bout. However, Islam Makahachev intends to return to the octagon in June whereas UFC 300 is in April. That would complicate things, particularly if the victor of Oliveira vs Tsarukyan needs time to recover.
Dustin Poirier will be taking on Benoit Saint-Denis at UFC 299 and a leaked conversation between Poirier and Ali Abdelaziz, the manager of Makhachev, points to a matchup between Poirier and Makhachev in June. Abdelaziz was heard promising Poirier a title shot against Makhachev if he emerges victorious at UFC 299 as per Pinkvilla.
Ilia Topuria, after his featherweight title triumph over Alexander Volkanovski, had already called out Makhachev but the UFC seemed intent on seeing Topuria in the featherweight division. However, that is a fight that could certainly happen, especially if Makhachev and Topuria clean their respective divisions out.
The winner of the BMF title fight between Max Holloway and Justin Gaethje also has a shot at the title next. However, the fight promises to be a blood and guts war that would require an extensive recovery period.
Who do you think will Islam Makhachev fight next? Leave your prediction below!
