Khabib names only two following LWs for a title
The contents in the “archives” were created and posted by the previous owners of this website. We are not responsible for any misleading or incorrect content that is posted here.
Although UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski appears to be in pole position, Khabib Nurmagomedov believes there are two lightweight contenders worthy of the next shot at gold in the division.
This weekend at UFC 280, Khabib will feature in his man Islam Makhachev’s corner, as the 30-year-old Russian looks to make the most of his first championship opportunity on MMA’s biggest stage.
Coming off a 10-game winning streak, Makhachev will look to end Charles Oliveira’s 11-game winning streak when he meets the Brazilian in this Saturday’s headliner scheduled for the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.
Before the contest, Khabib was unusually vocal about his prediction and his confidence. He went so far as to publicly suggest that Oliveira wouldn’t even show up in Abu Dhabi, while stating that Makhachev should “crush” the former champion on fight night.
With that in mind, the Dagestan side appeared certain that the main event of UFC 280 will only go one way. And in a similar vein, Khabib thinks a fight should determine who his protege’s first defense will come up against should he have his hand raised against ‘Do Bronx’.
Khabib points to another UFC 280 fight
The 145-pound king Volkanovski has long campaigned for the chance to achieve champ-champ status, and his placement in the substitute role for Saturday’s pay-per-view main event certainly threw his name into the mix. .
UFC President Dana White even recently noted that it would ‘make sense’ for the Aussie to face the UFC 280 headliner winner next. However, Khabib omitted Volkanovski from his list. worthy challengers during an interview with UFC Russia.
After suggesting the division is thin when it comes to contenders, ‘The Eagle’ insisted that only two names have put themselves in position for a title shot – and they happen to be willing to stand. beat this weekend.
” I do not see anyone. There are only two guys,” Khabib said. “Beneil Dariush and Mateusz Gamrot. Whoever wins this fight deserves a title shot, 100 percent.”
Dariush had hoped for a title shot earlier this year when he faced Makhachev. However, after a broken leg forced him to retire, the Iranian-American needs another win to claim his league title.
Gamrot, meanwhile, recently moved up to No. 9 on the lightweight ladder by just edging out Arman Tsarukyan in his main event debut. With this result, the Polish contender leads a four-fight winning streak inside the Octagon.
Please provide transcript credit with a link to this article if you use any of these citations.
