If the stars align accordingly, Islam Makhachev It’s okay to fight Conor McGregor. In fact, the UFC lightweight champion believes he would be a fool if he didn’t.
For that to happen, however, each man has first tasks to complete, starting with Makhachev (25-1 MMA, 14-1 UFC), who defends the 155-pound title against Dustin Poirier at UFC 302. main event, 1st of June. Four weeks later, McGregor (22-6 MMA, 10-4 UFC) makes his long-awaited return to the Octagon against former Bellator champion Michael Chandler in the UFC 303 headliner on June 29.
Even though to date McGregor hasn’t won a fight in over four years, hasn’t won a lightweight fight since winning the title almost eight years ago and doesn’t appear anywhere in the official UFC rankings, Makhachev is willing to respect the old adage that if it makes money, it makes sense.
Fighting the UFC’s biggest star for a likely huge payday? This is a no-brainer for the champion.
“People have to be stupid to say no,” Makhachev said in Shadow Lion’s “Pound 4 Pound” Podcast with Kamaru Usman and Henry Cejudo. “Of course I will fight him.”
Makhachev indicated that his next fight after UFC 303 would likely take place in October (in Abu Dhabi) or November, but for a showdown with McGregor he would be willing to be available in August or September.
While not as easy to sell based on merit, a fight between Makhachev and McGregor would be an easy sell from a storyline standpoint, given McGregor’s history with Makhachev’s trainer and UFC Hall of Famer Khabib Nurmagomedov . Years of bad blood culminated in Nurmagomedov submitted McGregor in October 2019 at UFC 229 – the best-selling pay-per-view in the promotion’s history – and after jumping the cage to attack McGregor’s corner after his victory.
From Makhachev’s perspective, he also believes he would have no problem with McGregor in the cage.
“Brother, easy. This guy is not the same,” Makhachev said. “I don’t want to make him look bad, but everyone knows this guy who isn’t the same. Before, yes, definitely. When he was fighting Khabib, he was in good shape. He (was) a top-notch fighter. But now, lots of alcohol, lots of whiskey.”
For Makhachev, this is easy money.
