[autotag]Islam Makhachev[/autotag] is eyeing the welterweight strap after UFC 294.
Lightweight champion Makhachev (24-1 MMA, 13-1 UFC) rematches Charles Oliveira (34-9 MMA, 22-9 UFC) in the Oct. 21 headliner at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and ESPN+.
Just like he gave featherweight titleholder Alexander Volkanovski an opportunity to become dual-champ in his most recent fight at UFC 284 in February, Makhachev wants to be granted the same chance if he gets past Oliveira for a second time.
“I don’t know what the UFC has planned, but my dream fight is for the second belt,” Makhachev told ESPN. “Of course, I am under contract, so whatever the UFC says, I will fight, no problem. But (Leon) Edwards vs. Colby (Covington) – I really believe I can beat (the winner). I look at their skills and what they have as champion and I know my skills. It’s going to be a good fight.
“I’m not saying I’m going to beat them easy. It’s going to be a hard, tough fight against a big guy. But I believe I can finish those guys. I gave a chance to (Volkanovski), so they have to give me a chance, too. I gave a chance to a guy from another division to come to my weight and to try to take this belt, and he lost. I want my chance, too.”
Welterweight champion Edwards (20-3 MMA, 12-2 UFC) meets Covington (17-3 MMA, 12-3 UFC) in the UFC 296 main event on Dec. 16 in Las Vegas. Makhachev sees them both as winnable matchups, but hopes Covington wins – simply because Covington called him out.
“I hope (Covington) wins, because I don’t know what Leon says about (fighting me),” Makhachev said. “I’ve never heard Leon say he wants this fight. But Colby wants it. That’s why I want Colby to win and we can meet one day.
“It would be a very good fight, he has good wrestling. It’s going to be U.S. wrestling vs. Dagestan wrestling. He’s a good fighter. He has good wrestling and good conditioning, but in my opinion, I stop his wrestling and land many good punches.”
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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 294.