NEWARK, N.J. – Many have been blown away with that they noticed from Islam Makhachev on Saturday, solidifying his standing for a lot of because the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter on the planet or getting him in that spot for others who didn’t have him there already.
Nevertheless, that wasn’t the case for everybody. UFC CEO Dana White sparked an enormous response on-line when he argued that UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones is the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter. These feedback got here after Makhachev’s third title protection of his UFC light-weight belt, which got here within the type of an exciting submission win over Dustin Poirier (30-8 MMA, 22-7 UFC) in the principle occasion of UFC 302.
Makhachev (25-1 MMA, 14-1 UFC) was requested on the UFC 302 post-fight press convention what he thought of White’s claims.
“I don’t know – possibly it’s his opinion,” Makhachev stated. “I feel I saved this card at the moment as a result of all these fights have been boring and all area nearly sleep. We confirmed with Dustin an awesome efficiency. Dana gave me two bonuses. Earlier than after I keep in mind I had the primary contract I’d get very glad when I’ve bonus, however now it’s OK.”
Within the final three years, Makhachev has picked up seven consecutive wins, defeating revered expertise in Poirier, Charles Oliveira, Alexander Volkanovksi (twice) and others. He has six finishes in that seven-fight run. In the meantime, Jones has solely fought as soon as, submitting Ciryl Gane to say the vacant UFC heavyweight title in 2023.
So far as Makhachev’s exhibiting, he was pleased with what he was capable of show at UFC 302, however stated he thinks there’s loads of room for progress.
“I feel Dustin ready for this battle very nicely,” Makhachev stated. “He stated this was his final probability, and I feel they did an awesome job. He improved his wrestling protection.
“I feel my mistake on this battle is that I’ve to consider in my placing extra as a result of I present my placing at the moment. I landed plenty of good punches and the primary punches, I nearly knocked him down. If I consider extra, I feel I can knock him out. But it surely’s OK. I’m glad to complete him on the bottom.”
For extra on the cardboard, go to MMA Junkie’s occasion hub for UFC 302.
You should definitely go to the MMA Junkie Instagram web page and YouTube channel to debate this and extra content material with followers of blended martial arts.
