Joshua Van defends Islam Makhachev after backlash over turning down UFC 336
The UFC flyweight champion, who defends his own title against Manel Kape on that Toronto card, says Makhachev has done everything he needs to in the sport.
Joshua Van has defended Islam Makhachev after the backlash over the welterweight champion turning down a title defence at UFC 336, according to Sportskeeda and MMA Sucka.
Van said Makhachev has done everything he needs to in the sport, and questioned how people can go from calling him the GOAT after he beat Ian Machado Garry to criticising him now.
Makhachev turned down a defence against Carlos Prates on the 30 January card in Toronto, and Prates will now face Michael Morales for the interim welterweight title instead. Makhachev defended his belt in August with a unanimous decision win over Machado Garry.
Matt Brown has also said Makhachev has earned the right to pick when he fights, while Randy Brown has said the champion should fight more often.
Van is on the same card, defending his flyweight title against Manel Kape, the division's No 1 contender, at the Scotiabank Arena.
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