'I want to clean my division…' Islam Makhachev accepts Max Holloway’s criticism and vows to fight only ‘REAL’ lightweights next

UFC 300’s biggest winner, Max Holloway, would be a logical assumption for a next opponent. He knocked down perennial lightweight standout Justin Gaethje in a buzzer-beating performance. However, Makhachev does not consider him a serious challenger for the division. With ‘Blessed’ telling KHON2 News’s Rob DeMello that Ilia Topuria deserves his attention, Makhachev thinks the Hawaiian fighter has rivalries left at featherweight.

Hence, the Dagestani fighter told Scott Fontana for the New York Post last month that he did not want to give Holloway a chance yet. Conversely, yet again he thinks Holloway needs a few good fights at lightweight. He also didn’t like Max Holloway’s subtle shade on him fighting a 145lber (Alexander Volkanovski) twice in his last attempts. Moreover, the lightweight champion also has dreams of attaining glory in two divisions.

Islam Makhachev is ‘jobless’ in his division and wants a double-belt glory

Alexander Volkanovski’s bids against P4P king Islam Makhachev came for two-division glory. While the Aussie fighter failed on both counts, he earned the rival’s respect. Especially because he had risen on short notice in one of the instances. Now, Makhachev (25-1 MMA, 14-1 UFC) yearns for similar glory.

Fighters do not get much better than the current reigning UFC lightweight champ. However, fans and peers often refuse to acknowledge his accomplishments. The likes of Max Holloway recently critiqued him yet once again for not defending his title strap against ranked opponents at 155 pounds. Makhachev thinks otherwise.

Man, who has next? Now, we have Poirier... After if I beat Poirier and after Arman, I don’t know... I don’t have some job in my division. I need that second belt. I think I deserve it. This is my dream to be double champion... Islam Makhachev via the “Goody Guy/Bad Guy” Podcast (ESPN2/ESPNPodcenter)

He faces Dustin Poirier next at UFC 302 this June. Arman Tsarukyan is UFC 300’s yet another big winner like Max Holloway; he won the top contender’s spot in his lightweight battle. A potent fight with Tsarukyan would be a rematch of their April 2019 bout. The streaking lightweight posed some troubles to Makhchev in his debut outing. He also remains the only opponent the Dagestani doesn’t have a finishing stint over. As such, Makhachev wants to go claim the welterweight belt due to the lack of strong contenders in the division.