“Only Charles Oliveira Have a Better Win Streak”- Khabib Nurmagomedov Demands a Title Shot for Islam Makhachev Ahead of UFC 267

Islam Makhachev is ready to enter the octagon for the third time this year at UFC 267. The Russian fighter will go up against the number 6 ranked lightweight, Dan Hooker. Both fighters will fight before the co-main event, and many think this fight could be a number 1 contender fight for Makhachev.

Makhachev’s long-time friend and training partner also believes so. The former UFC champ, Khabib Nurmagomedov, in a recent interview backed this claim. He is going to be in the corner of Islam and two of his other teammates at the event.

‘The Eagle‘ in the interview, said, “Most important fight, Islam have. My opinion, this fight for him, not for his opponent, for him have to be like a contender fight. After this fight, he’s gonna become nine-win streak in UFC… Only Charles Oliveira have a better win streak than Islam. If Islam gonna finish this guy very easily in the beginning of fight, Islam has to fight for the title. It’s my opinion.”

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Makhachev is currently on an eight-fight win streak. His last loss came way back in 2015, at UFC 192.

Besides Islam Makhachev, who else can challenge next for the lightweight title?

The title contender picture in the UFC’s lightweight division is getting rather interesting. The current champion Charles Oliveira will defend the gold against Dustin Poirier at UFC 269.

There are several fighters who have a claim to be the next challenger. Former UFC interim lightweight champion Justin Gaethje will face Michael Chandler at UFC 268.

Gaethje hasn’t fought since his defeat against Khabib Nurmagomedov and would look to win this fight and get himself back in the title picture. Chandler last fought for the belt against Oliveria and lost. Both men will have a claim to be the next challenger if they win.

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Then there is Islam Makhachev vs. Dan Hooker. Makhachev has been undefeated in his last eight fights and has looked impressive in all of those wins as well. Nobody has really given him a tough challenge. As his training partner Khabib Nurmagomedov said, he will be one of the favorites to challenge for the title if he wins.

However, Hooker cannot be slept on in this whole discussion as he took Dustin Poirier to the limit at the UFC APEX in 2020.

And then there is Beneil Dariush, who has quietly amassed a seven-fight win streak in the UFC. Coming off a dominant win against Tony Ferguson in his last fight, Dariush also has a claim to a title fight.

UFC lightweight division is in an interesting phase right now. The top 6 fighters all have a claim to a title shot, and everyone will have a clearer picture of who is going to be the number 1 contender in some time.

Who do you think should challenge for the title next? Let us know in the comments!