NEWARK, N.J. – Islam Makhachev will accept whatever challenge the promotion offers him next, but his preferences are clear.
Following UFC 302, UFC CEO Dana White called a matchup vs. Arman Tsarukyan the fight to make for Makhachev (27-1 MMA, 16-1 UFC). However, the lightweight champion much prefers a step up in division instead after his submission win Saturday over Dustin Poirier.
“Who doesn’t want to be double champion?” Makhachev told reporters, including MMA Junkie, at a post-fight news conference Sunday at Prudential Center. “This is history. How many double champions we have? This is a dream for all fighters, to get second belt.