Khabib Nurmagomedov reveals Islam Makhachev’s next fight before Dana White
Islam Makhachev will defend his lightweight title in the coming months, says Khabib Nurmagomedov before an official announcement.
Khabib Nurmagomedov tease January return for Islam Makhachev (Image via Imago)
Islam Makhachev‘s dream of facing multiple opponents in 2024 may be put on hold. Makhachev, who currently holds the UFC lightweight title, had been sidelined due to an injury. Fans have eagerly awaited news about his return and next opponent. However, Khabib Nurmagomedov shared the information before the UFC could make it official.
As Dana White previously stated, the UFC will wait for the champion to be ready before scheduling his next fight. The promotion wanted the champion to return for UFC 308. However, Makhachev’s mentor, Khabib Nurmagomedov, has given an update on the lightweight champ’s return to the octagon. In a Malaysian press conference, the former champ revealed details of Makhachev’s next fight.
Islam is now not only the champion, now he is the best pound-for-pound fighter. Today UFC offered us a fight in January, we accepted it. UFC will do it very soon- announcement of where it will take place and who will be there. I myself will not make an announcement.
Khabib Nurmagomedov via ushtayka_tm at Malaysian Press Conference
After an eight-month layoff, Islam Makhachev returned for UFC 302. He fought a bloody war against former interim champion Dustin Poirier. Despite this injury setback, UFC CEO Dana White has announced that no interim lightweight title was needed while Makhachev recovered. With UFC 311 scheduled for January 2025, it seems prominent that the Dagestani is likely to headline the event.
The injury sustained earlier this year has prevented him from defending his title against former rival Arman Tsarukyan. Tsarukyan became the No. 1 contender after defeating Charles Oliveira at UFC 300. While Khabib has not revealed the opponent nor the location, there are many names in the loop for the next lightweight title fight.
Arman Tsarukyan growing restless over Islam Makhachev’s absence
Islam Makhachev was originally set to defend his strap on the UFC 308 card in Abu Dhabi this October. But he is now nursing a torn ligament in his hand, having outboxed Poirier. The Armenian, Arman Tsarukyan, served a NAC-imposed nine-month suspension and $25,000 in fines for a pre-fight incident.
The No. 1 ranked lightweight stands as the firm contender in the lightweight division. Tsarukyan was offered the Makhachev fight right after his win at UFC 300. However, the fight was scheduled for June, which wouldn’t have given him enough time to recover and prepare. Thus, he declined the fight but later called for a fight for the title.
I got informed that this fight would not happen this year…It’s not about fighting Islam for me, It’s about becoming a champion. Any of the top 5 can fight for the interim title. Hooker, Chandler, Oliveira, Gaethje or Poirier.
Arman Tsarukyan via Red Corner MMA
⚡️👀Arman Tsarukyan reacts on Islam Makhachev not ready to fight this year. He also open to have a fight for the interim title
— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) September 7, 2024
"I got informed that this fight would not happen this year…
It's not about fighting Islam [Makhachev] for me. It's about becoming a champion. Any of… pic.twitter.com/H8pVCCZAs4
At one point, it appeared that an interim lightweight title was a possibility. He eyed Poirier, Justin Gaethje, and Michael Chandler as potential opponents. Now that Dana White has dispelled the need for an interim title, the Makhachev vs. Tsarukyan rematch will go on as planned. After losing to Makhachev in 2019, the Armenian lightweight will aim to exact revenge against the Dagestani champion.
Adhvaidh Ganeshan
(43 Articles Published)