Islam Makhachev is on a mission for UFC lightweight gold, but wouldn’t mind taking a fight against Conor McGregor if he meets a certain requirement first.
After making quick work of short notice replacement Bobby Green at UFC Fight Night 202 on Saturday in Las Vegas, Makhachev stretched his current win streak to 10 in a row. Afterward, he made his intentions to fight for the title in his next outing clear. However, nothing has been guaranteed ahead of the upcoming lightweight title fight at UFC 274 between champion Charles Oliveira and Justin Gaethje.
Making the title picture even more uncertain is a certain former two-division champion in McGregor who could be making his return to action in the summer after healing from a leg injury at UFC 264. Makhachev, however, would not be interested in facing McGregor when he returns, but would be open to a meeting later down the road if he takes care of business inside the cage first.
“Honestly, I don’t remember when this guy beat someone,” Makhachev told MMA Junkie and other reporters during a post-fight news conference. “He have to come back, beat someone, then let’s go.”
Islam Makhachev says Conor McGregor would be light work.
"Bobby Green is going to be hard for me. More than Conor." pic.twitter.com/1s4peN46DV
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) February 27, 2022
Makhachev has repeatedly stated he believes the work has already been done to earn the next shot at the lightweight title. However, if McGregor returns and picks up a win, he has no problem stepping inside the cage with the former champ-champ, because he would not be worried about the outcome.
“Why not?” Makachev said about facing McGregor. “I’m going to smash him like easy. Bobby Green (was) going to be hard for me. More than Conor.”
