Islam Makhachev to Replace Conor McGregor? Michael Chandler Changes Priority as Dana White Put on the Spot by UFC Lightweight Champ

Widely considered to be a Welterweight who chooses to fight in the Lightweight division, Islam Makhachev has confirmed that he plans on moving to the Welterweight division to strap on another championship belt. Currently, the Lightweight UFC champion is without a fight since he hasn’t found his opponent. However, the news is that he will be fighting in Abu Dhabi next.

Makhachev fought and defeated the Lightweight fighter Charles Oliveira back in 2022, establishing himself as a true force within the ring. In 2023, he fought against the UFC Welterweight champion Alexander Volkanovski in the Lightweight division. Although Volkanovski gave Makhachev trouble, having rocked him on several occasions, the fight went to Islam Makhachev by decision. Now, Makhachev is looking for his next opponent, possibly for Abu Dhabi, and his recent tweet was answered by a popular MMA fighter.

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Islam Makhachev’s win over Volkanovski truly showed that Volkanovski is easily one of the greatest and most technical fighters in the UFC. Makhachev managed to get the decision, but Makhachev hadn’t faced anyone like Volkanovski before. Naturally, fans want a rematch because Volkanovski’s in-ring domination of Makhachev was out there for the whole world to see.

However, the thing is that Makhachev has decided that he will fight in Abu Dhabi next and fans are speculating that he wants former Lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov in his corner.

When Makhachev tweeted, tagging Dana White, asking for his next opponent and location, one MMA fighter answered. Former Lightweight champion Conor McGregor‘s old TUF rival Michael Chandler tweeted back, asking Makhachev to be ready, revealing his plans of gunning for the title as well.

Chandler was supposed to fight the returning Conor McGregor this year. However, McGregor failed to join the USADA pool, despite repeated intimations. This left Chandler without an opponent, making him one of the top contenders for the Lightweight title bout.

Oliveira’s rematch next for Islam Makhachev? Dana White considering…

Makhachev defended his Lightweight belt beautifully, fending off the ‘Great’ Alexander Volkanovski. Since then, there have been rumors and speculations about who Makhachev would be facing next.

UFC President Dana White seems to be confident that a rematch between Islam Makhachev and Charles Oliveira would be a good way to seal the deal. However, a rematch between Volkanovski and Makhachev is also something that the fans want really badly. Now, after Conor McGregor failed to join the USADA pool, Michael Chandler is hungry for a title shot and has called out the Lightweight champion in his latest tweet.

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Dana White has potentially ‘sold-out-arena’ fight cards, and the decision, is mostly up to him. Will he listen to the fans and give Volkanovski a second chance? Will he stick with Oliveira? Or will he consider going for Chandler this time? Only time will tell.

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