In another world, Islam Makhachev\u2019s next title fight would\u2019ve headlined UFC 324.<\/p>\n
UFC\u2019s debut on Paramount has been set for Jan. 24<\/a>. While the interim lightweight title fight between Paddy Pimblett and Justin Gaethje is set to headline, it doesn\u2019t appear to be UFC\u2019s first choice.<\/p>\n Islam Makhachev spoke to Ushatayka<\/a> and revealed an offer was on the table, but he declined (h\/t MMAJunkie<\/a>).<\/p>\n \u201cI was offered a fight in January,\u201d Makhachev said. \u201cJanuary, I think, is an impossible date because I had already been in camp for three months, and they called me in December. They were like, \u2018You\u2019ll be fighting in January.\u2019 I said it was already too late. I needed to leave for camp and be ready for January. I told them I definitely won\u2019t fight in January.\u201d<\/p>\n While Makhachev couldn\u2019t give a definitive answer on who his opponent would\u2019ve been, he did reveal a potential name.<\/p>\n \u201cThey didn\u2019t tell me the name, but honestly, I think it was [Michael] Morales,\u201d Makhachev said. \u201cThat\u2019s my opinion. They didn\u2019t say the name, they just asked whether I would fight in January or not.\u201d<\/p>\n Morales put the welterweight division on notice after he scored a first-round TKO finish over Sean Brady, who had been a highly regarded contender. The bout took place on the same card that saw Makhachev further etched his name in history.<\/p>\n Makhachev added his name to the list of fighters to win titles in two divisions at UFC 322 back in November. He turned in a stellar performance against Jack Della Maddalena to become the new UFC Welterweight Champion.<\/p>\n