Islam Makhachev has given an ultimatum to the UFC about his fighting timeline. The UFC Lightweight champion is willing to fight in March 2024 before taking his yearly hiatus during the holy month of Ramadan. Makhachev and many other Muslim fighters do not fight during Ramadan as they observe fasts and cannot train.
Makhachev won the title at UFC 280 against Charles Oliveira in October 2022. He defended his title twice against Alexander Volkanovski in 2023. Fans have been calling for another title defense, however, the UFC has not announced an official fight yet.
I’ll be ready to smash someone in March, or see you after Ramadan 👊🏼🖐🏼 pic.twitter.com/gNGUygrUSj
— Makhachev Islam (@MAKHACHEVMMA) December 28, 2023
Brazilian fighter Oliveira looks likely to get a rematch, however, BMF title holder Justin Gaethje has also called out Makhachev for a fight. The Dagestani fighter, on the other hand, has asked the UFC to book him a fight in March. He wrote on X, “I’ll be ready to smash someone in March, or see you after Ramadan.”
The holy month of Ramadan begins in the second week of March 2024. That leaves two options for the UFC to book a fight for Makhachev. The Lightweight champion could defend his title at UFC’s debut in Saudi Arabia on March 2, 2024, at UFC Fight Night 238 or he could fight at UFC 299 on March 9, 2024.
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However, a title defense on UFC 299 has already been announced with Sean O’Malley set to defend his Bantamweight title against Marlon Vera.
On the other hand, only three fights for UFC Saudi Arabia have been announced till now. The fights include a Flyweight bout between Muhammad Mokaev and Alex Perez, a Middleweight bout between Eryk Anders and Jamie Pickett, and a Lightweight bout between Ľudovít Klein and Joel Álvarez.
Islam Makhachev prefers a title defense against Justin Gaethje as he “deserved a fight”
In an interview in Dubai, Makhachev explained how he is not interested in rematches. He was set to face Oliveira in a rematch on UFC 294, however, Do Bronx pulled out due to injury. Instead, a rematch against Volkanovski was booked by the UFC.
Islam Makhachev says that he is not interested in another rematch next (Tsarukyan or Oliveira) and that he wants to fight Justin Gaethje.
He mentions UFC 299 in Miami as an option 👀
via YT / Ushatayka pic.twitter.com/muMNBj8W7l
— Spinnin Backfist (@SpinninBackfist) December 9, 2023
“To be honest, I’ve already said that I’m not that interested in rematches,” Makhachev told reporters at an IBA Boxing event in December. “Because if you want to win someone in a good way, you have to add new names. There is Gaethje, who I would say deserved a fight. I think it would be more interesting to fight him.”
The #1 UFC P4P fighter was called out by Gaethje on X. ‘The Highlight’ wrote, “Waiting on the call. Ready when you are @ufc @danawhite Let’s see who can kick the others head off first @MAKHACHEVMMA Do Bronx had his shot and didn’t show up for the rematch.”
I can do more than kicking, be careful 😉😴💤 https://t.co/yyCSbd7mVm
— Makhachev Islam (@MAKHACHEVMMA) December 27, 2023
Makhachev responded to it by writing, “I can do more than kicking, be careful”
It seems that Makhachev has already decided who he wants to defend his title against. Gaethje is also willing to have his third shot at the title. However, Makhachev is in no hurry. He is willing to fight in March but has shown no desperation about it.