Javier Mendez hopes Islam Makhachev can join Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 249, but he admits it’s been tough ask.
Makhachev (18-1 MMA, 7-1 UFC) has been struggling to get a fight lately and has called out many of the top 15 UFC lightweights, but to no avail, and the one top-ranked lightweight willing to fight him, Kevin Lee, is a matchup that, Mendez said, the UFC is not on board with.
“Well, the UFC is the one that’s avoiding that one,” Mendez told MMA Junkie. “I think they’re trying to wait for those guys at a bigger stage, but at the present time, the guys that are higher level, that are available, are not wanting to go bat up with Islam. To be honest with you, I probably don’t blame them, and the other ones that would fight him (are) in a conflict or injury or whatever, but it’s tough right now. I was told from his manager that they’re trying to get him matched, but they’re having a tough time with him because where do you put him?”
Makhachev is on a six-fight winning streak and on the cusp of reaching 155-pound contention. However, he has hit a brick wall in his attempts to land a fight with the sort of opponent who could propel him there. Mendez admitted he understands why most fighters don’t want to face him, though.
“He’s that good. Do you risk it for him because he’s not as ranked as he should be?” Mendez said. “He should be ranked in the top 10 or under by far, but he’s not, so what do you do with him? He’s that dangerous.
“Personally, if I had to fight him, I’d probably say wait until he gets a bigger name then we’ll fight him. Islam is having a hell of a time getting opponents because nobody wants to fight him.”
