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#4 Islam Makhachev vs Dan Hooker
Islam Makhachev and Dan Hooker have a history, with the former having called out 'The Hangman' previously. However, following Hooker's losses to Dustin Poirier and Michael Chandler, Makhachev seemed reluctant to face him, saying:
"Dan Hooker posted something today, 'If Islam won this fight and called me...', but who is Dan Hooker, you know? Now he's number eight. In his last six fights, he lost three times. I need someone who will bring me to call for the belt, but I don’t think Hooker is a big step for me.”
Nevertheless, with the other lightweights at the top of the division likely to be booked to face each other soon, Makhachev might have to swallow his pride and take on another middling opponent. The Kiwi has at least expressed an interest in fighting him, which isn't something that can be said about many in the UFC lightweight division.
A fighter with a takedown defense rate of 79% in the UFC, Hooker's reach and size could cause Islam Makhachev problems. However, with the Russian expected to leapfrog Hooker in the rankings, this is another fight that might not materialize unless there's absolutely no other alternative.
#3 Islam Makhachev vs Beneil Dariush
Beneil Dariush is ranked third in the lightweight rankings at the moment, which is a bit puzzling if we're being entirely honest. He has only one win over a top-ten fighter - Tony Ferguson - and his other notable conquests - Diego Ferreira and Thiago Moises - are on the verge of dropping out of the rankings altogether.
Dariush may not be ready for an opponent of the caliber of Justin Gaethje and Michael Chandler, even though he has insisted he's ready for someone in the top five. Push might come to shove, and if that happens, the UFC might make the rather unassuming 32-year-old take on Islam Makhachev.
Both solid grapplers, Dariush and Makhachev could surge into title contention with a couple of wins on the trot. While facing off against each other might not be the quickest path to the belt, it could turn out to be the smartest route.
