UFC Lightweight Champion Islam Makhachev didn’t think twice to accept the change of opponent at UFC 294 on short notice, but he didn’t miss the opportunity to take a shot at Jon Jones.

When you’re a real champion, you have to fight: Islam Makhachev

The reigning UFC heavyweight and former light heavyweight champ, Jones infamously declined to face Chael Sonnen at UFC 151 after his original opponent Dan Henderson had suffered an injury and decided to pull out of the fight.

A similar situation has happened with Makhachev. The 155-pound champ was originally slated to face Charles Oliveira at UFC 294 but after the Brazilian pulled out of the bout, Featherweight titlist Alexander Volkanovski stepped in on a short notice.

At the UFC 294 media day, while talking about the same, Makhachev found the scope to take a shot at Jones for not doing the same that he did.

“This is what a UFC champion has to do,” said Makhachev. “Like a real champion. If you’re a real champion you have to take the fight, it doesn’t matter how many days, who it’s going to be, not like your pound-for-pound champion [Jon Jones] when they gave him Chael Sonnen. When you’re a real champion, you have to fight.”

Aside from mocking “Bones” for declining the Sonnen fight on short notice, Makhachev also pointed out that how Jones is ranked as the number 1 pound for pound fighter, questioning his position on the list.

“They put [Jon Jones] No. 1 [pound-for-pound]. Who has he beat his last five fights?” Makhachev added. “He don’t have some names from top pound-for-pound rankings. I just want to say about the rankings, all these things, this is bulls*** and I am not following anymore.” [H/T MMA Fighting]

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