Islam Makhachev expressed strong disapproval regarding the BMF title fight scheduled for UFC 300.
The highly anticipated bout features Justin Gaethje defending his BMF title against Max Holloway on April 13 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Makhachev, the reigning UFC lightweight champion, had been anticipating his next title defense against Gaethje. However, with Justin Gaethje now set to face Holloway, Makhachev was left puzzled by the matchmaking decision.
In an interview with MMA Junkie, Makhachev voiced his concerns about the matchup:
“I don’t want to make people upset, but this is a useless fight for a useless belt. Nobody gains anything from this fight. I have three guys: (Arman) Tsarukyan, (Charles) Oliveira, and Gaethje, but Tsarukyan and Oliveira – I beat them already. But I have Gaethje – he deserves to fight for the title now. This is a good time for him.
“He showed a good performance in the last two fights. For Holloway, he already has a new champion (at featherweight), and he can fight now with (Ilia) Topuria. But they put (Gaethje and Holloway) against) each other. I don’t know. This fight for me, it’s nothing. For the fans, it’s going to be a good fight. They both like to give damage, like to fight, like to box always. But for me, and for the (lightweight) division, the fight means nothing.”
Looking ahead, Makhachev is eyeing a return to the octagon in June. With Gaethje vs. Holloway and Charles Oliveira vs. Arman Tsarukyan slated for April, Makhachev believes a swift turnaround for any of these fighters is unlikely. As a result, he has shifted his focus to Dustin Poirier, who secured a remarkable knockout victory over Benoit Saint Denis at UFC 299.
While acknowledging Poirier as a formidable opponent, Makhachev believes Gaethje is taking a significant gamble by opting to face Holloway instead of prioritizing their anticipated matchup.
“Can you imagine if Gaethje loses? If Gaethje loses, he loses everything – his chance,” Makhachev said. “I don’t know when he’s going to fight for the title again. If Holloway loses, who will fight with Topuria? … If they put me vs. Gaethje and Holloway vs. Topuria, it’s good for the UFC, for both divisions. But right now, in my opinion, it’s a useless fight.”
