Islam Makhachev – dominant UFC lightweight champion, definitive pound-for-pound king, and as it turns out, a rather retaliatory retainer of long-forgotten grudges.
The popular lightweight champion made quick work of his late-notice opponent in the main event of last night’s PPV, as he submitted Renato Moicano with ease inside the very first round.
Whilst both fighters had been respectful towards one another during their 24-hour build-up, Islam Makhachev has now revealed that this latest victory is also ‘revenge’ for a previous defeat.
Islam Makhachev laughs UFC 311 title win was ‘revenge’ for his teammate
Islam Makhachev was expected to deliver a statement at UFC 311 and the dominant Dagestani certainly delivered the goods with a sensational first-round stoppage win over Renato ‘Money’ Moicano.
There hadn’t been much -if any- animosity between the two, but when speaking at the post-fight press conference, Makhachev revealed that this was ‘revenge’ from Moicano beating one of his teammates years ago.
“I was in Brazil when he fought with my teammate Zubaira Tukhugov… This victory is dedicated to him because you know, at that time Zubaira lost, but now I have my revenge.”
Moicano defeated Tukhugov via a split decision in 2016; the same night that Stipe Miocic knocked out Fabricio Werdum to claim heavyweight gold, meaning that UFC 311 represented a revenge plot some eight years in the making.
Someone will have to get ‘revenge’ for Umar Nurmagomedov next, with the talented youngster suffering the first loss of his professional career in the co-main event against Merab Dvalishvili.
Makhachev later revealed that whilst coach Khabib Nurmagomedov was immensely upset with the result of that first title fight, ‘The Eagle’ remained focused on the remaining task at hand.
“Of course he was upset, he came to me right away and told me to focus on my fight, told me to not think about it.
“We haven’t talked with Khabib about Umar’s loss yet [because] he came to the locker room and went to the octagon with me right after – now he went to a hospital with Umar.”
Islam Makhachev continues to tease eventual exit from lightweight division
Following his history-making win, Makhachev said that he’d welcome all challengers at 155lbs, but also that he’s set his sights firmly on securing a second UFC championship title.
“I don’t know when [my move to welterweight] is gonna happen but I will not leave this sport without a second belt, I need the second belt,” he stated at the post-fight presser.
“I will defend my belt however many times the UFC want, I will defend and when they give me a chance, I want to be double champ… I can be three-division [champion] also. Just give me the chance, that’s it.
“I will fight with [Dricus] Du Plessis, give me the chance, I will fight him also. I swear if Dana White sends me the contract, I will fight him also.”
With the win, Makhachev now sets the record for most lightweight title fights wins and improves his professional record to 27-1.