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Charles Oliveira’s recent statement has complicated Islam Makhachev’s second title defense, but in a way, it’s a good thing for Makhachev as he was not very interested in the Oliveira rematch because he wanted to test himself against a new opponent.
Daniel Cormier spoke about this in great detail, and he is absolutely right to assume that the next title challenger could be the winner of Justin Gaethje and Dustin Poirier. Islam Makhachev asked the UFC to fix him a match with Leon Edwards in October, and we will soon find out how UFC responds to his request.
Cormier does not see it happening and backs his statement with valid reasoning.
Daniel Cormier on Islam Makhachev’s title defense
Recently on the ESPN show “DC & RC”, Daniel Cormier shared his thoughts on Islam Makhachev’s next title defense.
“I think Islam Makhachev will next fight against someone that is not even necessarily on our radar,” Cormier said, as quoted by mmajunkie.usatoday.com. “It’s supposed to be the winner of Gaethje vs.
Poirier, but I do not believe that those guys will come out of that fight clean and be healthy enough to put a title fight right that soon. “I also know that Charles Oliveira has already told the UFC he’s not fighting in October.
We’re going to have to go down the lightweight rankings and find some other guy, and people are going to be very disappointed. It’ll be the No. 4, 5, or 6 ranked guy that’s going to get a title shot because there just will be no one else”.
Cormier further said: “I don’t know who he’s going to fight, but someone’s about to get a blessing because there will be no one else, He will not fight Leon Edwards. I don’t think the UFC is going to allow him to be in two title superfights without having to defend the championship one time yet (against a lightweight)”.