UFC lightweight Islam Makhachev says he never turned down a short-notice clash with Rafael dos Anjos on Sunday but in fact asked the promotion to make the bout - while he also reiterated his “dream” to fight for the title in Abu Dhabi later this year.
Makhachev, the division’s No 3-ranked contender, publicly offered to take on Dos Anjos in the co-main event at UFC 272 after the Brazilian’s original opponent, Rafael Fiziev, contracted Covid-19.
The pair exchanged messages on social media confirming they were both willing to fight, but Dos Anjos eventually went on to face Renato Moicano, defeating his compatriot by unanimous decision. UFC president Dana White, meanwhile, told the media that Makhachev turned down the Dos Anjos opportunity.
The Dagestan native, 30, was coming off a victory against Bobby Green the previous week, when his dominant first-round TKO lifted his win streak to 10.
However, seeking to give his version of events, Makhachev told ESPN early on Tuesday: "I was in California on vacation, and I called my manager and said, 'Please call the UFC, I am ready to take this fight’.
“I asked about some conditions, very small conditions, nothing big or not possible to do. It was not the UFC calling me. I wanted this fight, but the UFC did not do it. That's it."
Makhachev, whose professional MMA record reads 22-1, would not say what the stipulations were, but said he did not agree with White that he should next rebook his bout with Beneil Dariush. Dariush, the No 4-ranked challenger at lightweight, was Makhachev’s initial opponent last week before getting injured in training and leaving Green to step-in.
"[White] can say whatever he wants, it doesn't matter," Makhachev said. "I'm going to fight anyone, because I'm going to be a champion, and I'll fight all the top 10. I'm going to beat all these guys.
“When I take this belt, I'm going to beat Dos Anjos, all these guys. But the UFC has a show in Abu Dhabi in November, and I think I'm deserving.”
The UFC is expected to return to the capital later this year, although as of yet no date has been confirmed. Makhachev told The National last month that he wants to fight for the belt in Abu Dhabi – he has competed twice in the emirate already – and feels that current champion Charles Oliveira will be the man standing across from him in the octagon. The Brazilian defends his title against No 1-ranked contender Justin Gaethje in May, at UFC 274.
"If Charles Oliveira beats Justin Gaethje, it would be an 11-fight win streak versus a 10-fight win streak. This is similar to [former champion] Khabib [Nurmagomedov] versus Tony Ferguson. This is biggest fight in lightweight division," Makhachev said.
“You know why I want to fight in Abu Dhabi? Because Abu Dhabi is open for anyone, a lot of people can come. Abu Dhabi is like a second home for me; it’s two hours flight from my house. All the people who followed my professional career, my many fans around the world, can come to Abu Dhabi to support me there. My dream is to take this belt in Abu Dhabi.”
Makhachev, who claimed he will move to welterweight after defending the lightweight title three to five times, dismissed again suggestions that Conor McGregor could fight immediately for the belt when the former two-division champion returns from injury.
"I think this is fake," Makhachev said. "It's for the fans, to make something interesting. It's going to be hard for him to make 155 [lbs]... a lot of people will smash him. He is going to fight Nate Diaz or some old people to make some money. He's never going to be champion again."
The specs
Engine: 4-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission: eight-speed PDK
Power: 630bhp
Torque: 820Nm
Price: Dh683,200
On sale: now
What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE
Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.
Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.
Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.
Who has lived at The Bishops Avenue?
- George Sainsbury of the supermarket dynasty, sugar magnate William Park Lyle and actress Dame Gracie Fields were residents in the 1930s when the street was only known as ‘Millionaires’ Row’.
- Then came the international super rich, including the last king of Greece, Constantine II, the Sultan of Brunei and Indian steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal who was at one point ranked the third richest person in the world.
- Turkish tycoon Halis Torprak sold his mansion for £50m in 2008 after spending just two days there. The House of Saud sold 10 properties on the road in 2013 for almost £80m.
- Other residents have included Iraqi businessman Nemir Kirdar, singer Ariana Grande, holiday camp impresario Sir Billy Butlin, businessman Asil Nadir, Paul McCartney’s former wife Heather Mills.
Hunting park to luxury living
- Land was originally the Bishop of London's hunting park, hence the name
- The road was laid out in the mid 19th Century, meandering through woodland and farmland
- Its earliest houses at the turn of the 20th Century were substantial detached properties with extensive grounds
Wonka
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%C2%A0Paul%20King%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%C2%A0%3C%2Fstrong%3ETimothee%20Chalamet%2C%20Olivia%20Colman%2C%20Hugh%20Grant%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The%20US%20Congress%20explained
%3Cp%3E-%20Congress%20is%20one%20of%20three%20branches%20of%20the%20US%20government%2C%20and%20the%20one%20that%20creates%20the%20nation's%20federal%20laws%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E-%20Congress%20is%20divided%20into%20two%20chambers%3A%20The%20House%20of%20Representatives%20and%20the%20Senate%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E-%C2%A0The%20House%20is%20made%20up%20of%20435%20members%20based%20on%20a%20state's%20population.%20House%20members%20are%20up%20for%20election%20every%20two%20years%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E-%20A%20bill%20must%20be%20approved%20by%20both%20the%20House%20and%20Senate%20before%20it%20goes%20to%20the%20president's%20desk%20for%20signature%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E-%20A%20political%20party%20needs%20218%20seats%20to%20be%20in%20control%20of%20the%20House%20of%20Representatives%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E-%20The%20Senate%20is%20comprised%20of%20100%20members%2C%20with%20each%20state%20receiving%20two%20senators.%20Senate%20members%20serve%20six-year%20terms%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E-%20A%20political%20party%20needs%2051%20seats%20to%20control%20the%20Senate.%20In%20the%20case%20of%20a%2050-50%20tie%2C%20the%20party%20of%20the%20president%20controls%20the%20Senate%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Usain Bolt's World Championships record
2007 Osaka
200m Silver
4x100m relay Silver
2009 Berlin
100m Gold
200m Gold
4x100m relay Gold
2011 Daegu
100m Disqualified in final for false start
200m Gold
4x100m relay Gold
2013 Moscow
100m Gold
200m Gold
4x100m relay Gold
2015 Beijing
100m Gold
200m Gold
4x100m relay Gold
The specs: 2018 Audi RS5
Price, base: Dh359,200
Engine: 2.9L twin-turbo V6
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 450hp at 5,700rpm
Torque: 600Nm at 1,900rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 8.7L / 100km
Fifa Club World Cup:
When: December 6-16
Where: Games to take place at Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi and Hazza bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain
Defending champions: Real Madrid
