LAS VEGAS – Islam Makhachev finally got a ranked opponent, but it’s not exactly who he wanted.
After calling out numerous names in the top-15 of the lightweight division, Makhachev (18-1 MMA, 7-1 UFC) drew Alexander Hernandez at UFC 249 on April 18.
“I’m happy they gave me an opponent because now I have a little bit of a problem, like to find an opponent, because last two years I asked about somebody like from top-15, but they just give me No. 15, but I’m happy,” Makhachev told MMA Junkie this past Saturday at a media day for Dominance MMA. “Hernandez is a good fighter. It’s going to be a good fight because he has good striking, good conditioning, good wrestling – like same to my style. It’s going to be a good fight.”
Many of Makhachev’s callouts were either ignored or answered with stipulations, leaving him in a quandary. But one fighter that was willing to face him no matter what the circumstances were was Kevin Lee.
The two verbally agreed, going back and forth on numerous occasions, however, the UFC was not on board. Instead, Lee will face Charles Oliveira this Saturday at UFC on ESPN+ 28 in Brasilia.
Makhachev is still holding onto the hope of someday facing Lee.
“Yeah, but I ask about Al Iaquinta, Paul Felder and other guys from the top 10,” Makhachev said. “Last time, I ask about Iaquinta, he gave me an answer saying, ‘I want to fight with you in Moscow,’ but Moscow doesn’t have an event. How he wants to fight in Moscow? Nobody wants to give me an answer, but my dream is to fight with Kevin Lee. I tell everybody it doesn’t matter where, it doesn’t matter, like anytime, anywhere, I’m going to fight with this guy. This is my dream.”
