Islam Makhachev is the reigning lightweight champion. He is currently at the top of the pound-for-pound rankings. His dominance within the Octagon has made him the centerpiece of numerous speculative matchups and fan discussions.
As such, Makhachev is a fan favourite to participate in the iconic UFC 300 event. However, there were conflicts due to the timing of Ramadan.
UFC CEO Dana White has also drawn criticism for his baseless accusations of Makhachev’s injuries. This was in response to a photo of Makhachev hiking in the mountains.
Ramazan Akaev is an acquaintance of Makhachev and a prominent FNG combatant. He recently shared videos on his IG Story. These videos depicted Makhachev engaging in rigorous physical activities, notably executing sturdy muscle-ups against the breathtaking backdrop of mountains.
The revelation sparked mixed reactions, with some questioning Makhachev’s intentions and willingness to face formidable opponents.
One comment read: “Lol he won’t fight an actual contender and surprisingly only wants to fight in the Middle East.”
Fans swiftly rebutted White’s assertions regarding Makhachev’s alleged injury. This was particularly in light of the planned title rematch against Charles Oliveira at UFC 294, which was thwarted due to Oliveira’s injury.
The subsequent postponement of this highly anticipated rematch raised skepticism among followers, especially considering Makhachev’s dismissive stance towards engaging in such a bout.
Additionally, Oliveira will now compete against emerging talent Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 300 due to Makhachev’s unexpected absence. The victor will face off against Makhachev in a title match. Fans aren’t happy with how everything fits together for the 155-pound champion.
The UFC had scheduled a lightweight title rematch between Islam Makhachev and Charles Oliveira. This was despite the fact that the champion just called out Justin Gaethje in place of Oliveira and Arman Tsarukyan. Previously in 2022, Makhachev submitted Oliveira to win the 155-pound gold title.
A rematch was scheduled for October 2023 at UFC 294. However, Oliveira was forced to withdraw from the bout due to a cut he sustained while sparring.