Drew Dober wants Islam Makhachev to fight Beneil Dariush next and Alexander Volkanovski to stay away from the lightweight division.
After beating former champion Charles Oliveira at UFC 280, Islam Makhachev called out Alexander Volkanovski, who was the back-up fighter for the fight.
The two had a face-off inside the cage and shook hands to put the lightweight belt and the top pound-for-pound rankings on the line when they eventually met inside the octagon.
Rumors of a clash in Australia next year have started to make the rounds, which divided the MMA community. One half was all for Makhachev getting tested by Volkanovski’s pure grit and strength and the other half felt the match-up, if confirmed, would be unfair to Beneil Dariush.
In an interview with The Schmo, Drew Dober stated that he believes Dariush was more deserving of the title shot and Volkanovski will only be holding up the 155 lbs. division:
“It’s [next title contender] Beneil Dariush, for sure. [Alexander] Volkanovski is just adding a problem to the division – like stalling things out. I think he should stay at 145, let Beneil fight Islam [Makhachev], because those two are the best guys in the division right now.”
Dariush is currently on an eight-fight winning streak, having defeated Mateusz Gamrot on the Islam Makhachev vs. Charles Oliveira undercard. His conquests include a submission win over Drew Dober, who also lost to Makhachev last year at UFC 259.
Drew Dober is looking forward to solve the Islam Makhachev problem
Drew Dober previously failed to solve the enigma that Islam Makhachev is. But he’s taking solace in the fact that it took three rounds for the Dagestani lightweight to finish him and only two to submit Oliveira.
He added that he wasn’t surprised by the dominance Makhachev showed against ‘do Bronx’, but he is eyeing a rematch to prove that the Khabib Nurmagomedov protege isn’t invincible :
“Absolutely. I called it. To put a little hype in my name, it took him three rounds to beat me. Yeah, Islam Makhachev is a problem. I hope to solve that problem and I’m looking for that rematch.”
Watch the full interview below:
Despite both sides showing interest, rumors claim that the UFC is not too keen on the Makhachev vs. Volkanovski superfight. Addressing the reports, the newly crowned champion shrugged off any responsibility when it came to his upcoming opponent and urged the promotion to “stop playing games” and send him a contract.