Russian Islam Makhachev defeated Brazilian Thiago Moises by rear naked choke in the main match of UFC Vegas 31. The fight ended in the fourth round.
Inspired by the eighth success in a row, the Dagestan athlete turned to the fighters who refused to meet with him, and challenged the former champion of the promotion, Rafael Dos Anjos.
Why are all these guys running from me?
Now I am ready to give Dos Anjos three to four months to prepare, let's do it.
Yes, I want this fight.
You guys can run, but you can't hide from me.
I am following you, I am already here, ”Makhachev said in an interview after the victory.
At a press conference, Islam admitted that he was completely satisfied with his performance.
The only unpleasant moment for him was the takedown performed by Moises.
According to the Russian, he did not expect his opponent to make this move.
“A tough training camp is behind.
I have had many minor injuries.
I am satisfied, I spent more than three rounds in the octagon.
It's a good experience with a good opponent.
I was not nervous because I fought in the main fight.
But all day I told the guys that it was time to go to the arena, I never waited so long.
Tired of staying at the hotel.
Of course, special attention was riveted to me, but you have to get used to it, ”Makhachev said at a press conference.
In addition to Dos Anjos, he named several other fighters he would like to face, including former Bellator champion Michael Chandler and 37-year-old Tony Ferguson.
“But if I chose it myself, it would be Tony.
We have a great story with him.
Khabib had to fight him five or six times.
Let's finish this business.
I will do this and show the whole world that Tony is not at the level of Khabib.
People do not understand the pressure on Nurmagomedov.
I can't explain to you, but I think you know everything yourself, ”Makhachev explained.
In addition, the Russian fighter said that he can compete with any fighter in his weight category in terms of striking technique, and in wrestling and grappling he surpasses all opponents.
Islam added that he is not at all opposed to comparisons with Nurmagomedov, who now acts as one of his trainers.
In his opinion, the ex-UFC champion has a lot to learn from both athletic and personal terms.
“If someone says that Islam is almost the same as Habib, then I agree.
I want to be like Khabib, you know?
He is a great man, a champion.
He now has a lot of money, has everything, but at the same time he remains a modest guy.
He comes to the United States without his family for two or three months just to help us.
He is not asking for money or anything.
He just flies in here and helps the whole team.
He does everything for our team.
I cannot tell everything that he does, nobody knows about it.
We all have to thank him, ”added Makhachev.
He also said that Nurmagomedov rented a house for the whole team with his own money and rented cars to ensure comfortable preparation for the tournament.
The reaction of Nurmagomedov himself, who was in the corner of Makhachev and who gave him clues throughout the fight, spoke for itself: he was one of the first to run into the octagon to congratulate his partner on the victory.
The ex-athlete has repeatedly expressed confidence that Islam is capable of winning the belt.
This time, he made the assumption that by the end of 2021 he would win another fight ahead of schedule and be recognized as the fighter of the year.
“It was a great job, brother.
Moving on, one more fight this year, and it will be just a space environment.
The whole team did a phenomenal job.
Of course, Islam himself should be noted, who followed all the instructions both inside the cage and outside during preparation, ”concluded Nurmagomedov.
Another win for Coach Khabib!
🙌
[@TeamKhabib |
# UFCVegas31] pic.twitter.com/A2l46AYrPr
- UFC (@ufc) July 18, 2021
Other colleagues congratulated Makhachev on the victory - Vincent Morales, Edmen Shahbazyan, Tatiana Suarez and others.
Many expressed confidence that it was he who was the future owner of the championship belt and the heir to Khabib Nurmagomedov.
At the same time, some have suggested that the UFC is entering a period of dominance of a new fighter.
“He's good at everything.
Welcome to the era of Islam, ”welterweight fighter Belal Muhammad wrote on his Twitter page.
Middleweight Mike Rhodes expressed a similar opinion.
“Islam is a real future champion,” the fighter said.
The reigning UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling also reacted to Makhachev's victory.
“Makhachev won a very decisive victory.
I liked Thiago's heel roll attempt, but Islam is still a stronger and fresher fighter, ”Sterling said.
In turn, the manager of Makhachev Rizvan Magomedov shared his opinion on the future opponent of the fighter.
According to him, from the point of view of audience interest, it would be better for him to meet with Ferguson.
“Dos Anjos and Ferguson will be free.
Media wise, it would be interesting to fight with Ferguson.
Islam will return before the end of the year, possibly in October, ”Magomedov told TASS.
At the same time, Ali Abdel-Aziz, who also represents the interests of the Russian, named another fighter with whom he would have had a “dream duel”.
“When McGregor returns, I want to see Makhachev break his neck, not his leg,” Abdel-Aziz wrote, hinting at the Irishman’s recent defeat by Poirier.