Islam Makhachev has proven himself in the lightweight division with 14 wins and just 1 loss. The 155-pound champion wants to challenge himself and recently mentioned wanting to fight Leon Edwards for the welterweight title at UFC 300. However, according to rumors, Dana White did not seem to be on board with that idea.
Islam Makhachev is seemingly on the hunt for the double champion status. He wants to do something that his mentor Khabib Nurmagomedov could not do. However, that plan may not come to fruition as per the latest rumors and speculations. Let’s see what has developed on that front.
Dana White refuses to meet the demands from Islam Makhachev
UFC 300 is a couple of months away and Dana White has yet to announce the headliner for the historic pay-per-view event. Meanwhile, Islam Makhachev mentioned his wish to fight Leon Edwards for the 170-pound championship in the April PPV’s main event. As reported by ‘Young ‘n’ Faded MMA Society‘, The UFC CEO is not too keen on that fight. The media outlet quoted Makachev on his statement to Russian media, saying,
“Islam told them that he wants to move up and fight the champion Leon Edwards, but Dana White was not in favor of this and that down the option.”
Dana White wants the lightweight champion Islam Makhachev to defend his title a few more times
Several fighters in the lightweight division have been talking about fighting for the title, including Arman Tsarukyan, Justin Gaethje, and even Charles Oliveira. As such, Dana White believes that Islam Makhachev has a lot more work left to do in his division. The media outlet further quoted White’s supposed response,
“There are multiple guys in the lightweight division, whom he needs to fight first.”
Nevertheless, if Islam Makhachev can defend his title as much as Dana White wants him to, his aspirations of becoming a double champion could come to fruition after that.
“In addition, Dana said that if Islam defends his title a couple of times more over a year, it might happen then,” ‘Young ‘n’ Faded MMA Society added.
Although this seems to be a rumor, Islam Makhachev recently confirmed that he will be making his UFC return in June or July this year. However, the opponent for his next title defense is yet to be announced. It remains to be seen how long it takes Makhachev to get to the point when Dana White would consider giving him a welterweight title shot.
