Islam Makhachev targets Abu Dhabi title shot after quick victory, taunts Conor McGregor

Islam Makhachev has reiterated his desire to fight in Abu Dhabi next for the UFC lightweight title, while also claiming he would make easier work of Conor McGregor than he did Bobby Green on Sunday morning.

The Dagestan native, the division’s No 4-ranked contender, lifted his win streak to 10 with a first-round TKO of Green in the main event at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The American was a late replacement for the injured Beneil Darwish.

The victory means Makhachev now boasts the same number of consecutive wins as lightweight champion Charles Oliveira. The Brazilian, 32-8 in professional MMA, is slated to defend his crown against No 1-ranked challenger Justin Gaethje at UFC 274 in May.

Asked in Sunday’s post-fight press conference whether he would serve as a back-up to that bout in case either fighter gets injured, Makhachev said: “For step-in, we have some guys like [Rafael] dos Anjos or Michael Chandler. But I deserve [the title shot] - I have 10-fight win streak. I’ve been training so hard the last 11 months.

“I’m ready for a fight next week, next pay-per-view show. I want to fight in Abu Dhabi. Because I have many of my friends, my friends who stay outside because they cannot come to the Apex. I want to fight for the title in Abu Dhabi when all my fans can come and support me inside.”

Makhachev, 30, had told The National last week that he envisaged contesting the title in Abu Dhabi in October or November. As of yet, there has been no confirmation as to when the UFC will return to the capital. The promotion last staged a show there in October, when Makhachev defeated Dan Hooker by first-round submission.

Khabib Nurmagomedov, the former lightweight champion and teammate of Makhachev who now acts as his coach, said on