Islam Makhachev took another step towards the UFC lightweight title last night with a brutalising first round victory over Bobby Green.
The Russian was supposed to face No.3-ranked Beneil Dariush at the promotion's Apex facility in Las Vegas, but the bout was cancelled when Dariush was injured in training.
Instead, the beloved veteran Green was brought in just two weeks after beating Nasrat Haqparast at UFC 271 to take the fight, which will have serious title implications.
And despite entering the octagon as a monstrous underdog, many fans were hoping against hope that Green could pull off the upset in Nevada.
But it wasn't to be as Makhachev pushed Green against the cage and landed a quick double-leg takedown to gain control.
He then landed down brutal ground-and-pound forcing Herb Dean to step in and call the fight after just under three-and-a-half minutes.
Makhachev has now won 10 fights on the bounce, and is likely to move from No.4 to No.3 when the new rankings are released.
And he has called for a shot at world champion Charles Oliveira, who is believed to be heading for his second defence against No.1 contender Justin Gaethje in May.
"I just want a title fight," Makhachev said in his post-fight octagon interview. "No more.
"I'm tired of all these things. I need title fight. I'm ready. I'm here."
He later noted that Green, who has been fighting professionally for the best part of 14 years, was "not at his level", and laid out his case for a title fight.
“I told you guys a couple days ago," he said at the post-fight press conference. "this guy is not my level and I’m going to show you my level
“In 11 months, I finish four guys and I deserve [a title shot]."
Makhachev is coached by the legendary former champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, and believes that he is a perfect stylistic match-up for the current champion.
Oliveira won the vacant title after Nurmagomedov's shock retirement in October 2020, defeating Michael Chandler last year before defending against Dustin Poirier.
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“I think it’s going to be good match because this guy’s good in the striking and grappling and wrestling,” Makhachev added.
“I’m going to make him tired, pressure him, and make him give up.
"This guy, I know like when somebody go with him three or four rounds and give him hard punch and hard time, and he can finish some people with choke.
"But when he do not do this, he give up all the time - I have grappling skills more than him.
"He is going to try to finish me on the ground, but it’s going to be so hard for him.”
Conor McGregor told Mirror Fighting on Friday night that he believes his slated summer comeback could be for a world title.
But Makhachev hit back at the Irishman, insisting that he is not a legitimate contender after losing his last two to Poirier and going 1-3 since 2016.
