UFC President Dana White plans to immortalize Islam Makhachev’s recent spine-tingling quote ahead of UFC 294.
Islam Makhachev will face Alexander Volkanovski in a short-notice lightweight title rematch at UFC 294 later this month. He was supposed to defend the belt against Charles Oliveira before the Brazilian suffered a facial injury late in his fight camp.
Makhachev and Volkanovski competed in an instant classic earlier this year at UFC 284. After five rounds of back-and-forth action, Makhachev retained the title despite plenty of dangerous moments by Volkanovski.
Some UFC champions might not want to face a challenge like “Alexander the Great” on just days’ notice, but Islam Makhachev is cut from a different cloth, as evidenced by a recent quote to White and the UFC matchmakers.
Check out Makhachev’s recent text to White below.
“What does this title represent? It means you’re the best in the world and if you’re the best in the world it doesn’t matter who is standing across from you.
“What do I say? No? Never. Let’s do this.”
In the immediate aftermath of the text, and just days ahead of his return at UFC 294, Islam Makhachev’s mindset will be etched in UFC lore for good.
Dana White Lauds Islam Makhachev’s Pre-UFC 294 Declaration
During a recent interview on the Pat McAfee Show, Dana White explained the significance of Makhachev’s recent comments.
“I gotta find out if it’s up yet, but I called the team yesterday and said, ‘I want Islam Makhachev’s quote in the Apex and I want it in the PI,'” White said. “It’s going up on the wall. That’s how much I love this s***!”
Islam Makhachev will look to successfully defend the title for a second time when he faces Volkanovski at UFC 294. He earned the belt by tapping out Oliveira at UFC 280 last year.
Regardless of how Islam Makhachev’s upcoming fight plays out, his pre-fight mindset is being handsomely rewarded by White and the rest of the UFC