ABU DHABI – Islam Makhachev thinks there’s no clear No. 1 contender in his division.
The UFC lightweight champion says it comes down to two names when thinking of his next challenger if he gets past Alexander Volkanosvki on Saturday in the main event of UFC 294. These names are Charles Oliveira and Justin Gaethje.
Oliveira was Makhachev’s original opponent for UFC 294, but had to withdraw due to injury, and Gaethje recently won the BMF title by knocking out Dustin Poirier in July. Both fighters are clear standouts in the title picture at 155 pounds, and that’s why Makhachev (24-1 MMA, 13-1 UFC) would like to see them fight each other.
