Islam Makhachev says Conor McGregor would be an easier fight than Bobby Green

Conor McGregor would be an easier opponent for Islam Makhachev to beat than Bobby Green.

Dagestani wrestler Makhachev snapped Green’s two-fight winning streak on Saturday night at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

With retired MMA GOAT Khabib Nurmagomedov in his corner, Makhachev made quick work of the short-notice replacement.

And Makhachev reckons McGregor is stylistically a much easier fight than his main event with Green at the weekend.

“Honestly, I don’t remember when this guy beat someone,” Makhachev told the media in his post-fight press conference on Saturday.

“He have to come back, beat someone, then let’s go.

“Why not? I’m going to smash him like easy. Bobby Green [was] going to be hard for me. More than Conor.”

Makhachev has also made it clear he wants to face the winner of Charles Oliveira’s title defence against Justin Gaethje.

Oliveira will defend his 115lb champ belt against ‘The Highlight’ later this year after UFC president Dana White confirmed the fight will take place on May 7 at UFC 274.

He added: “I told you guys a couple days ago, this guy is not my level and I’m going to show people my level. 11 months, I finish four guys and I deserve.

“For a step in, we have some guys like Rafael dos Anjos or Michael Chandler.

“I’m deserving – I have 10-fight win streak in the last 11 months. I’ve been training so hard. Next week I’m ready for fight. Next pay-per-view show.

“But I deserve a little bit of notice. I want to fight in Abu Dhabi. I have many of my friends, my family, my friends who stay outside because they cannot come to Apex.

“I want to fight for the title in Abu Dhabi when all my fans can support me.”

Makhachev – who is a former combat sambo world champion, having won the gold medal in 2016 – also