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“I’ll be in Abu Dhabi” – Islam Makhachev Calls Out Dustin Poirier Justin Gaethje and others for UFC 267

Published 09/28/2021, 9:55 AM EDT

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Following news of Rafael dos Anjos backing out from his bout with Islam Makhachev, the latter took to Twitter to call out a host of names in the lightweight division.

Former UFC lightweight champion, Rafael dos Anjos, backed out of his fight against Islam Makhachev. RDA backing out has undoubtedly dealt an enormous blow to UFC 267. This news comes after the co-main event at UFC 267, Petr Yan vs. Aljamain Sterling fell through because of Sterling struggling due to a long-standing neck injury.

Similarly, Rafael dos Anjos recently underwent knee surgery, and according to sources close to dos Anjos, with just a month left for the fight, he is still having trouble bending his knee.

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After the news of the fight falling through came out, Makhachev called out RDA on Twitter.

‘I’m Done Wasting My Time on You’- Petr Yan Slams Aljamain Sterling After Blocking Him on Twitter

This is the third time a fight between RDA and Makhachev has fallen through. Originally slated to fight at UFC 254 in October last year, RDA backed out after testing positive for COVID-19. UFC then rescheduled the matchup to a month later but canceled it after Makhachev came down with a staph infection.

What next for Islam Makhachev?

Islam Makhachev confirmed he would fight on October 30, 2021, at UFC 267. The lightweight fighter is currently on an eight-fight win streak, with impressive submission victories over Drew Dober at UFC 259 and Thiago Moises at UFC Vegas 31, in his last two fights.

Makhachev, on Monday, called out anyone and everyone, including Floyd’ Money’ Mayweather on Twitter.

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While Justin Gaethje and Michael Chandler will fight each other at UFC 268 and Dustin Poirier will probably get his title fight against Charles Oliveira, UFC will have a hard time looking for a replacement opponent for Makhachev.

According to Dan Hooker’s coach, Eugene Bareman, Hooker is ready to fight Islam Makhachev at UFC 267.

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During a recent interview with Submission Radio, Eugène said, “Dan will never refuse a fight no matter what the circumstance is. And not having a voucher and possibly staring down the barrel of being stuck over here for six months or even longer, will not make Dan refuse a fight if offered to him. As far as I know there are no fights being offered yet, but if (Sean Shelby) calls us up I know 100 percent that Dan will take that fight. He will never refuse a fight, no matter who it’s against under what circumstances. Two days’ notice, one week’s notice, 12 weeks’ notice it doesn’t matter, he’d take it. So if that fight does swing our way, then 100 percent Dan will take it.”

Tony Ferguson is another fighter who could be available for the fight. Tony is on a three-fight losing streak and would like to get back in the win column. Ferguson shared a heated rivalry with Khabib Nurmagomedov and would like to pounce on the opportunity to fight his prodigy.

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What fight would you guys be excited to watch? Is Hooker vs. Makhachev the fight to make or should it be Tony or someone else entirely? Let us know in the comments!

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Written by:

Arunaditya Aima

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Arunaditya is a UFC writer at EssentiallySports. Having completed his Post Graduate Diploma in Multimedia Journalism from the IIJNM, Arunaditya aspires to be an important voice in the world of MMA and interview the likes of Jon Jones, Conor McGregor, Amanda Nunes, and other such superstars of the sports. He has followed the sport for over a decade and is an ardent fan of Georges St-Pierre, who he believes is the greatest of all time.
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