Khabib Nurmagomedov Adds to Dana White’s Worries After Leaking Islam Makhachev MSG Fight Announcement

UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov shares insider details about Islam Makhachev's next fight before an official announcement. 

Khabib Nurmagomedov Adds to Dana White’s Worries After Leaking Islam Makhachev MSG Fight Announcement

Khabib Nurmagomedov spills the beans about Islam Makhachev's title fight at Madison Square Garden (via X)

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Khabib Nurmagomedov has played a major role in shaping Islam Makhachev’s career, guiding him through major fight camps. The former lightweight champion constantly credits both Khabib and his late father, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, for mentoring him with lifelong support. Now, ‘The Eagle’ still helps Makhachev during camps, but his strong influence is reportedly troubling UFC CEO Dana White.

After vacating his 155-pound title, Makhachev is now preparing for a potential super fight against Jack Della Maddalena. The matchup has generated massive hype among fans, though the promotion and White haven’t made it official yet. Recently in New York, Nurmagomedov discussed Makhachev’s next fight with his manager, intentionally leaking key details publicly.

I think here in New York (Makhachev vs. JDM). Ali (Abdelaziz), brother, be quiet please. He’s now upset because now I give information. But this is his deal with UFC, I don’t deal with UFC. This is his problem. But we deal with them, He (Makhachev) is gonna fight in Madison Square Garden. 

Khabib Nurmagomedov via an Interview.

A few months ago, Makhachev expressed his desire to fight at Madison Square Garden and capture his second UFC belt. Meanwhile, Della Maddalena aimed to defend his title for the first time in front of his home crowd in Perth, Australia. Training with featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski, Maddalena seeks redemption for Volk’s previous losses to Makhachev in their past encounters.

Madison Square Garden is iconic for hosting classics like Ali vs. Frazier, Cotto vs. Margarito, and Jones Jr. vs. Trinidad. In MMA, it’s known for UFC 205 with McGregor’s double champ moment, and UFC 281’s Alex Pereira vs. Israel Adesanya thriller. ‘The Eagle’ has also fought at the same venue once, where he absolutely dominated his opponent, Michael Johnson, before finishing him.

Heading into the fight, Makhachev is the clear betting favorite thanks to his dominant streak and elite wrestling background. However, JDM gained massive support after his win over Belal Muhammad, showcasing improved skills and fierce determination. In order to sharpen his ground game, JDM is training with BJJ ace Craig Jones, who has a rivalry with Dagestani wrestlers. 

Khabib Nurmagomedov gets slammed by an old rival during his recent New York visit 

Khabib Nurmagomedov and Dillon Danis have a long-standing rivalry rooted in their connection to Conor McGregor and UFC 229 chaos. Danis, McGregor’s jiu-jitsu coach and teammate, was cageside when ‘The Eagle’ submitted McGregor and leapt over the cage to attack him.

That infamous brawl escalated tensions between both teams and resulted in multiple suspensions, fines, and long-lasting animosity from the UFC. After that, Danis was never seen in the Irishman’s corner as a cornerman.

Khabib Nurmagomedov's brawl with Dillon Danis at UFC 229
Khabib Nurmagomedov’s brawl with Dillon Danis at UFC 229 (via X)

Since then, Nurmagomedov and McGregor have consistently mocked one another online through interviews, tweets, and trash talk, keeping the feud alive. The rivalry remains personal, blending martial arts, pride, and team loyalty into one of MMA’s most talked-about conflicts. Recently, during his visit to New York for a public appearance, Danis took this opportunity to mock the UFC Hall of Famer. 

During a recent interview, Nurmagomedov spoke about McGregor’s downfall but intentionally avoided mentioning his name throughout. McGregor was recently denied dismissal in a 2019 civil assault lawsuit, continuing his long list of legal and personal controversies.

Despite these setbacks, McGregor remains in the headlines, frequently posting erratic videos and tweets that spark widespread attention and online debates. He officially re-entered the UFC testing pool in July 2025, a requirement before any sanctioned UFC return can be scheduled.

Meanwhile, Dillon Danis is nearing his MMA return after more than five years of inactivity. He will compete under Misfits Boxing banner, spearheaded by his rival KSI. The controversial BJJ fighter will fight against Warren Spencer for the promotion’s 170-pound MMA title at the end of this month. It will be the first time that ‘El Jefe’ competes for an MMA title in his career.

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