Islam Makhachev says he would rather avoid fighting Belal Muhammad and Shavkat Rakhmonov after UFC 311.
Makhachev is the UFC lightweight champion and defends his 155lb strap for the fourth time this weekend.
The 33-year-old takes on Arman Tsarukyan in the headline act of UFC 311, which also has Merab Dvalishvili defending his bantamweight title against Umar Nuramgomedov.
Makhachev has previously asserted that it is his ‘dream’ to become a two-division champion.
However, there are two men that are currently perched at the summit of the UFC‘s welterweight division that he wants to avoid.
“Well, I know both guys,” Makhachev said at the UFC 311 media day on Wednesday.
“These are not the fights I would like, for sure – both Belal Muhammad and Shavkat Rakhmonov.
“Both are world-class fighters with all the skills. They’re going to have a good fight coming up, that I’m interested to see.”
Muhammad is the current champion of the 170lb division in Dana White‘s promotion.
He defeated Birmingham’s Leon Edwards at UFC Manchester in July to win gold for the first time in MMA’s biggest league.
However, a grotesque bone infection meant he was forced to withdraw from his first defence of the title at UFC 310 in December.
Muhammad was originally scheduled to face Kazakhstan star Shavkat Rakhmonov in the main event, but the latter ended up squaring off with Ian Machado Garry in an unofficial No.1 contender bout for the UFC welterweight title.
After nearly being submitted in the final round by Garry, Rakhmonov went the distance for the first time in his career to outpoint his Irish counterpart and secure a title shot with Muhammad in his next bout.
All three judges scored the contest 48-47 in favour of Rakhmonov, who is unbeaten in 19 professional MMA bouts.
Makhachev added that he doesn’t want to pursue a trilogy fight with Tsarukyan should he get past him UFC 311.
The pair have already locked horns in the UFC, with Makhachev coming out victorious in April 2019 against Tsarukyan, who was making his UFC debut and took the fight on very short notice.
“Third fight, I hope no,” Makhachev said.
“It doesn’t make sense, three fights with the same guy. I think new generation will come.
“We’ll have most dangerous division. The old guys – I believe this is one of the hardest weight classes not just in the UFC, but all of the sport. I need some new target.”
Makhachev holds victories over some of the highest-ranked UFC lightweights, including Charles Oliveira, Dustin Poirier and Dan Hooker.
So it’s no wonder the Dagestan native has talked about moving up to the welterweight division for a different challenge.
However, for now his sole focus remains on Tsarukyan this weekend at UFC 311.
“I don’t want to look past Arman, because Arman is a really tough opponent. I just focus on him, you know?” Makhachev added.
“Looking for the rankings, thinking for the next opponent, it’s not my job. I’m just still training, still hungry.
“If we have something, just send me contract. It’s my opinion all my life: I never trust any opponent, never thinking I’m gonna fight this guy, I’m not gonna fight this guy.
“Just send me contract, that’s it.”
Elsewhere at UFC 311, Jiri Prochazka faces Jamahal Hill in a top light-heavyweight fight, with the winner eyeing up another go at the champion Alex Pereira.
Meanwhile, Beneil Dariush challenges Renato Moicano in a lightweight bout on the main card too, and Kevin Holland takes on Reinier de Ridder on in the middleweight division.