Back in February, Islam Makhachev squared off against Featherweight champ Alexander Volkanovski with the Lightweight title up for grabs. But Islam beat ‘Volk’ in his own game and established himself as a force to be reckoned with. Islam will be defending his lightweight title for the second time against a familiar foe, Charles Oliveira.

However, Islam has eyes his eyes set on the welterweight title after he defends his lightweight title. However, a former interim welterweight champion isn’t so happy about it.

Covington skeptical of Makhachev’s welterweight aspirations

At some point in the future, there’s a chance UFC could see Islam Makhachev make the switch up to 170 pounds, which is something he’s contemplated in the past. After outright calling for a showdown with Covington in a recent interview, ‘Chaos’ responded in the only way he knows how.

Reacting to Makhachev calling him out, Covington said that the Russian can say whatever he wants to the media, but he doesn’t mean it. Covington further stated that Makhachev is aware that Covington can ‘smack the shit out of him’ and that he wouldn’t be able to mess with ‘raw American steel.’

To make things even worse, Covington further went on to call Islam Makhachev “Nothing but a sheep herder.” ‘Chaos’ acknowledged the fact that Islam walks around at more weight than him and said that he chooses to fight closer to his natural weight. Colby claims to not have the advantage of cutting all that weight.

Covington in the same interview challenged Islam to come up the division and test himself. Colby further questioned Islam’s and Nurmagomedov’s former intentions of coming up the division and testing themselves. Covington debunked the success of Islam and Khabib by saying that they are naturally big guys who cut weight to have the advantage at lightweight.

Makhachev sets out to defend his lightweight belt for the second time

Islam Makhachev defeated Charles Oliveira to become the UFC lightweight champion at UFC 280. The Russian emerged victor with a second-round submission win. Soon after defeating the Brazilian, Makhachev went on to successfully defend his title against Alexander Volkanovski.

This time, in the rematch, Oliveira will be looking to avenge his loss to Islam as well as try to grab the lightweight title from the current champion at UFC 294. Islam will have the support of the former lightweight champion, Khabib Nurmagomedov. In an interview with ESPN Islam reveled that Khabib will be present at the bout between Islam and Charles.

Islam clarified that Khabib won’t be his corner coach, but the former UFC fighter will be there to assist Makhachev. Islam has described having Khabib as a coach as ‘having a mountain behind you.’ While that sounds reassuring, it also means he’s going to make you work like you’ve never worked before.

Tell us in the comments your thoughts on the highly anticipated bout between Islam and Charles. Do you think Charles will be able to avenge his loss against Oliveira and become the UFC lightweight champion consequently?