The head of the UFC, Dana White, denied that current UFC lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev, will make another title defense on January 20 at UFC 297 in Toronto.
The head of the world’s strongest league told ESPN sports columnist Brett Okamoto.
“A rematch between Islam Makhachev and Charles Oliveira will not headline UFC 297 in Toronto, Dana White has announced,” the reporter wrote on social media. “At this point, Oliveira looks the most likely challenger for the lightweight title, though White told ESPN, ‘Anything is possible and will depend on the willingness of both'”
According to the journalist, the Russian is not going to fight on March 2 in Riyadh either.
“Makhachev’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz, has informed ESPN and the UFC that his charge will not be ready to defend the title until March 9”
Moreover, the Russian fighter’s manager claims that the UFC champion’s opponent will not be a Brazilian, but American Justin Gaethje, who is also his client.
“Charles Oliveira doesn’t deserve anything. Justin Gaethje is next,” Abdelaziz wrote.
So, if Islam Makhachev is indeed planning to make another title defense before Ramadan, he only has March 9 to go, as the holy month begins on March 10.
Recall that two weeks ago, the Russian set the stage for his showdown with Alexander Volkanovski by knocking out the Australian in the first round at UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi.
Source: https://fighttime.ru/news/item/33072-dana-uajt-sdelal-zayavlenie-o-revanshe-makhacheva-i-olivejry.html?rand=19907
