Makhachev slams McGregor: “Everybody can finish Conor”
The UFC lightweight champion believes he could finish off the Irishman quickly and admits that “it would be stupid to say ‘no’ to a fight.”
For many fighters, Conor McGregor is no longer what he once was. The Irishman, a former double champion (featherweight and lightweight), has been out of the cage for almost three years after being injured. On June 29, at UFC 303 in Las Vegas, he will return to face Michael Chandler. Islam Makhachev doesn’t see a real danger in The Notorious and says he would have no problem facing him.
In an interview for the Pound 4 Pound podcast, former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman and flyweight champion Henry Cejudo had a chat with Makhachev about his upcoming fight with Dustin Poirier on June 1 at UFC 302, where he will defend his belt.
The Russian had previously stated that The Diamond didn’t deserve the opportunity to fight for the championship and Usman highlighted the American’s skills: “Dustin Poirier has finished McGregor twice. You can’t sleep on Dustin Poirier.”
Makhachev didn’t worry too much about the former champ’s words. “Why do you say ‘he finished Conor twice?’ Brother, everybody can finish Conor, 10 times, right now” the Russian said. Makhachev revealed he would have no problem facing the UFC legend. “Anyone can finish Conor. I don’t think he will cut weight [for me]. Brother, why not? People have to be stupid to say no. Of course, I will fight with him”, the Dagestani champion added.
Makhachev wants to fight McGregor
The Russian also talked about a possible clash with McGregor at the end of summer. Makhachev is Khabib Nurmagomedov’s disciple, one of the few fighters in the company who finished the Irishman. The Eagle retained his lightweight belt by submitting McGregor in the fourth round in October 2018.
“I can fight August or September with McGregor. This guy is not the same. I don’t want to make him look bad, but everybody knows this guy is not the same”, he explained.
“Before, yeah, for sure. When he was fighting with Khabib, he was in good shape. He was a high-level fighter. But right now, too much alcohol, too much whiskey,” Islam added about McGregor.