Islam Makhachev: After I finish Green, UFC is going to give me a title fight in Abu Dhabi

Last-minute change in opponent or not, Islam Makhachev has his path all planned out: defeat Bobby Green in Las Vegas this weekend and then capture the UFC lightweight crown in Abu Dhabi.

“I really believe that after this fight, when I finish Bobby Green, they are going to give me title fight in Abu Dhabi,” Makhachev told The National via Zoom from his hotel room late on Wednesday.

“I’m going to tell the UFC and [president] Dana [White] and everybody that, ‘Hey, this is my 10-fight win streak. I deserve the title fight’. I’m going to be in Abu Dhabi, waiting for the champion there.”

Makhachev, whose professional record reads 21-1, certainly seems the most obvious challenger for the belt once current champion Charles Oliveira takes on No 1-ranked contender Justin Gaethje. That bout is expected for UFC 274 in May.

The division’s No 4 challenger, Makhachev rides a nine-fight win streak, his most recent victory the first-round submission of Dan Hooker at UFC 267 in Abu Dhabi last October. On Sunday morning UAE time, the Dagestan native faces Green in the headliner at UFC Fight Night at the promotion’s Apex.

Green fought only last week, dominating Nasrat Haqparast to record a second win on the bounce. The American, 29-12 in pro MMA, is a late replacement for Beneil Dariush, the No 3-ranked contender who suffered an injury in training last week. Green is known primarily for his striking; Dariush his ground game.

A supreme wrestler in his own right, Makhachev said the 11th-hour switch isn’t cause for concern.

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“I’m always looking to finish my opponent,” he said. “That’s why it doesn’t matter who my opponent is. I don’t train one month, two months, for some opponent. All my life