Great opportunities in mixed martial arts are few and far between, but John Makdessi realized when the biggest one of his career was there for the taking.
When Khabib Nurmagomedov injured his knee and was forced out of his highly anticipated bout against Donald Cerrone at UFC 187, there was suddenly a space available opposite Cowboy. With Cerrone being on the hottest streak of his impressive career and sitting within striking distance of a title shot, the list of potential replacements was thin—and understandably so.
Over the course of his current seven-fight winning streak, the Colorado native carved out his spot as a potential title contender by besting a collection of elite-level talent, and he did so in impressive fashion.
He's become the fighter to beat in the 155-pound fold, and the shake-up that came with Nurmagomedov falling out of the bout created a scenario in which someone ready, willing and able could get that exact opportunity.
The Canadian powerhouse is fresh off a victory over Shane Campbell at UFC 186—his fourth win in his last five outings inside the Octagon. The Bull was eager to get back to work after the fight, and when the bout with Cerrone became official, he immediately understood the magnitude of the opportunity.
While Cerrone will undoubtedly be the biggest test of his career, the Jackson/Winkeljohn-trained fighter's status in the lightweight division makes the juice absolutely worth the squeeze.
A victory over Cerrone would catapult Makdessi to new heights in the 155-pound division, and that reality made a chance to mix it up with the hard-charging striker something he couldn't pass up.
"I know this is a big opportunity, but I'm not focusing on that," Makdessi told Bleacher Report. "I'm not focusing on what could happen after the fight or the fact that I'm fighting a top guy; I'm treating this as just another fight for me.
"My goal is to stay calm and composed and go out there and fight my fight. I want to give the fans something exciting to watch and my performances speak for themselves. I'm not a big talker and I don't trash-talk to sell fights. I go out there and let my actions speak for me.
"At the end of the day, it is skill versus skill in there. We are going to find out who is the better man on that night. Cerrone has his style and I have mine, and it will be an exciting fight for the fans. If he engages with me it is going to be exciting.
"You never know. Maybe he will change his game and try to run around and play the points game because two of my losses have been by technical points. I was never dominated in those fights. I lost on points. I want Cerrone to come out and fight me, but we will see what happens. We will see who is going to be the last man standing.
"This fight is going to be part of history and this is what it is all about," he added. "I'm building my legacy and this is a great opportunity for me."
Duane Finley is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report. All quotes were obtained firsthand unless noted otherwise.
