Islam Makhachev appeared to take a pop at Conor McGregor after UFC 284 by stating he will only defend his lightweight belt against a "real contender" next.
Makhachev, 31, stopped featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski in his tracks as he attempted to become a double-champ by moving up a weight class for their lightweight title fight in Perth, Australia. After five rounds of back and forth action down under, Makhachev won a decision by scores of 48-47 48-47 and 49-46 to make the first defence of his lightweight title.
When asked about the next challenger of his belt, Makhachev seemed to take a shot at McGregor by saying: "Real contender, not fake, a couple of guys are going to show now for a fake fight but I need a real contender. I showed why I'm number one, you like or you don't like I am the best fighter in the world right now."
