UFC 249 is possibly getting another lightweight matchup on the card. MMA Junkie’s Nolan King and John Morgan reports that Alexander Hernandez vs Islam Makhachev has verbally agreed to fight at UFC 249. They also report that this comes from two people “with knowledge of the situation” and that been finalized yet.
Makhachev has been looking to fight a ranked opponent in the lightweight division. He wanted Kevin Lee, but the UFC booked Lee against Charles Oliveira for UFC Fight Night 170. MMAScene’s Amar K reported that Makhachev was originally supposed to be fighting Gregor Gillispie at UFC 249 from sources close to Makhachev camp. No reason has been given as to why the fight against Makhachev and Gillispie fell apart.
With a record of 18-1, Makhachev is looking to become a contender in the lightweight division. He is currently on a six-fight win streak that dates back from his unanimous decision win over Chris Wade at UFC Fight Night 94 on September 17, 2016. Makhachev has wins over the likes of Nik Lentz, Gleison Tibau, and Davi Ramos.
Hernandez is looking to continue his momentum after defeating Francisco Trinaldo by unanimous decision at UFC on ESPN 4 on July 20, 2019. Before that, Hernandez took a TKO loss against Donald Cerrone at UFC Fight Night 143 on January 19, 2019. Now Hernandez with an MMA record of 11-2 will try to prove that he is the future of the lightweight division and the UFC.
UFC 249 is headlined with a lightweight championship main event between lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson. Also on the card is a rematch between former strawweight champions Rose Namajunas and Jessica Andrade. Tickets are still on sale on Ticketmaster.
