Islam Makhachev down to fight "not same" Conor McGregor in August or September - "People have to be stupid to say no"

Islam Makhachev is set to make his return to the octagon in just over two weeks when he faces Dustin Poirier in the main event of UFC 302. Later in June, Conor McGregor will make his highly-anticipated return from a three-year hiatus as he headlines UFC 303 against Michael Chandler.

Makhachev recently revealed that he is open to a quick turnaround if the former double champ is his opponent. Speaking to Kamaru Usman and Henry Cejudo of the Pound 4 Pound podcast, the lightweight champion said:

"Why you say he finish Conor twice? Brother, everybody can finish Conor ten times. Right now, why not?... I don't think he wants to cut weight... Brother, why not [face McGregor]? People have to be stupid to say no. Of course, I will fight with him... Brother, when I will fight next? October or November? I can fight August or September with McGregor."

He continued:

"Brother, easy. This guy [is] not same. I don't want to make him feel or look bad, but everybody knows this guy [is] not same. Before, yeah, for sure. When he was fighting with Khabib [Nurmagomedov], he [was] in the good shape. He [was] a high-level fighter, but right now, too much alcohol, too much whiskey and it's not same."

Check out Islam Makhachev's comments on facing Conor McGregor below (starting at the 43:42 mark):

McGregor has not competed in nearly three years, with his last victory coming over four years ago. He has not beaten a ranked opponent since he captured the lightweight belt against Eddie Alvarez at UFC 205 seven and a half years ago. 'The Notorious' is just 1-3 since that bout.

Islam Makhachev trolls Dustin Poirier's guillotines

Islam Makhachev will defend his lightweight title for the third time - and first against a lightweight opponent - when he faces Dustin Poirier at UFC 302. He trolled his upcoming opponents guillotines during a recent interview with Daniel Cormier and Chael Sonnen of Good Guy / Bad Guy, stating:

"Now, we have Dustin. Honestly, some people think I'm underestimating him, but this guy is so tough and this guy have very good guillotine. That's why I am training so hard."

Cormier, who trains with Makhachev at American Kickboxing Academy, responded:

"No, he's lying. No, he's being disrespectful. Look at his face, he's starting to laugh. Chael, he's starting to laugh. He's being disrespectful. I can tell. He's starting to laugh."

Makhachev claimed:

"No, brother, please. Honestly, I respect him, but okay, I don't respect his guillotine, but all his skills, I respect him... Because I never see him finish someone in guillotine. Maybe one day, but it's not going to be me."

Check out the back-and-forth between Islam Makhachev and Dustin Cormier below:

Poirier attempted multiple guillotine submissions before knocking Benoit Saint Denis out in the second round of their UFC 299 clash. He will look to cement his legacy by capturing the undisputed lightweight title. Meanwhile, Makhachev will look to tie Khabib Nurmagomedov, Benson Henderson, Frankie Edgar and B.J. Penn for the most title defenses in division history.