Not content to just be the UFC’s lightweight champion, islam Makhachev has revealed that he has aspirations to move up to welterweight to fight Leon Edwards for the welterweight title.
“This is my dream, and I’m sure I can be double champion,” Makhachev told Daniel Cormier. “I can beat Leon Edwards. He showed good [takedown] defense. With me it’s gonna be different. I can strike with him, I can grapple with him, wrestling. Anywhere I can beat this guy. Just give me one chance, and that’s it. Maybe after I win a second belt, they’re gonna put me best pound-for-pound.”
Speaking of pound-for-pound status, the No.3 placed Makhachev has made it clear he doesn’t agree with the fact that Jon Jones was immediately installed in the No.1 spot after his recent heavyweight title-winning submission of Ciryl Gane.
“This is bulls***, brother,” Makhachev said. “How Jon Jones can be No. 1? He beat some guy who is not champion. This guy (Gane) don’t have belt, and they put him No. 1 pound-for-pound. This is bulls***. … Doesn’t matter how he beat him. The UFC put him best pound-for-pound. But other people who know about MMA, they know who is the best fighter in the world.
“Don’t call me lightweight champion. Call me pound-for-pound best fighter.”
