UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev has given his take on the upcoming BMF title fight. Given that the second-ever BMF fight is going to be held in his own division, the champion just had to chime in on the news. In a recent announcement, UFC president Dana White revealed the full card for UFC 291. A long-awaited rematch between lightweight stars Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje will headline the second July pay-per-view of 2023. As a bonus, the fighters will compete for the recently vacated BMF title.

The original BMF champion of the UFC, Jorge ‘Gamebred‘ Masvidal announced his retirement after his loss to Gilbert Burns at UFC 287. With the belt vacated after his retirement, the UFC made a non-title fight PPV headliner all the more interesting by adding this additional stake. However, the arrival of the BMF belt to the 155 lbs division has fetched a rather cryptic reaction from the divisional champion.

Islam Makhachev responds to UFC 291 BMF title fight

Islam Makhachev ascended the lightweight throne after beating Charles Oliveira at UFC 280 in 2022. The Dagestani then defended the belt against featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski in February. After a close fight and a controversial decision, Makhachev remains the UFC lightweight champion. In the coming months, several high-stakes lightweight fights will decide Makhachev’s next challenger. While Charles Oliveira and Beneil Dariush will clash at UFC 289, Gaethje and Poirier will go down at UFC 291.

Responding to the added stipulation for Poirier vs. Gaethje, Makhachev wrote, “You deserve this belt ))).” 

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The champion seems to be taking a jibe at his fellow lightweights for fighting for a non-divisional title. While the announcement of the BMF title fight excited many, there were also those that shared Makhachev’s sentiments. However, Poirier vs. Gaethje 2 is a significant fight for the lightweight division and the title picture.

A closer look at Poirier vs Gaethje 2

Both Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje have fought for the title twice, and they lost both times. Incidentally, they even lost to the same opponents- Khabib Nurmagomedov and Charles Oliveira. Since then, Poirier has beaten Michael Chandler and Gaethje has beaten Rafael Fiziev.

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However, a one-fight win streak was not justifiable in the eyes of many, to give either fighter a title shot. Hence, the talks of a rematch between the pair were loud after Gaethje’s win at UFC 286 in March.

Poirier and Gaethje are two of the most violent and entertaining fighters on the roster. Therefore, the UFC must not have had a hard time deciding to put the vacant BMF title on the line.

UFC 291 goes down in Salt Lake City, Utah on July 29. Who do you think will be the new BMF? And what do you make of Makhachev’s comments?

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