Tag: Islam Makhachev

Dan Hooker on the ‘myth’ of fighting Islam Makhachev, Khabib Nurmagomedov

Dan Hooker believes Islam Makhachev and Khabib Nurmagomedov’s opponents are often intimidated before the fight starts.

[autotag]Dan Hooker[/autotag] believes [autotag]Islam Makhachev[/autotag] and [autotag]Khabib Nurmagomedov[/autotag]’s opponents are often intimidated before the fight starts.

Hooker (24-12 MMA, 14-8 UFC) experienced it first hand when he faced current lightweight champion Makhachev (26-1 MMA, 15-1 UFC) at UFC 267 in October 2021. He was submitted in the first round.

When discussing Charles Oliveira, who was dropped and submitted by Makhachev in their title fight at UFC 280, Hooker explained the mental battle of going up against dominant fighters like Makhachev and Nurmagomedov.

“The myth of it is bigger than the actual task, and they kind of ride off the back of the myth of Khabib, and that’s bled into Makhachev, and you can see it,” Hooker told Submission Radio. “It definitely affected me. It’s bigger than the actual guy. If you just boil it down to the actual guy, it makes it quite a bit simpler.”

Makhachev is expected to make his next title defense in a rematch against Arman Tsarukyan, which is being discussed as the UFC 311 headliner Jan. 18 in Inglewood, Calif. In their first fight, which was Tsarukyan’s UFC debut, Makhachev outgrappled him in a back-and-forth battle.

Hooker predicts their rematch to have a more definitive ending.

“Islam (is) very defensively sound on the feet,” Hooker said. “And I feel like once he has more time to study and break down Arman’s counter-wrestling, I think it will be a more dominant win for Islam in the second fight.”

Since losing to Makhachev, Hooker has won three of his past four, most recently edging out Mateusz Gamrot at UFC 305 in August.

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Charles Oliveira gunning for gold after UFC 309, whether Islam Makhachev or Arman Tsarukyan

Could Charles Oliveira win a rematch against Islam Makhachev and/or Arman Tsarukyan?

NEW YORK – [autotag]Charles Oliveira[/autotag] asked for a cage-side seat for whenever [autotag]Islam Makhachev[/autotag] and [autotag]Arman Tsarukyan[/autotag] throw down.

Promotion CEO Dana White obliged that request in short order, impressed by the performance Oliveira (35-10 MMA, 23-10 UFC) put forth in his win over Michael Chandler on Saturday at UFC 309.

Oliveira has fought both Makhachev (26-1 MMA, 15-1 UFC) and Tsarukyan (22-3 MMA, 9-2 UFC) in the past, but he doesn’t care who walks away victorious. The only thing that matters to him is a championship belt.

“For sure. I want to be a champion,” Oliveira told MMA Junkie and other reporters through a Portuguese-language interpreter at a post-fight news conference. “Everybody knows this. I’m just going to take a couple days off. Since the boss told you guys he’ll come pick me up, I’ll be right there. … I’m not looking for any of them. I’m looking for that belt. Whoever’s got that belt, that’s who I want.”

Oliveira has won two of his most recent three. The defeat was a close split decision loss to Tsarukyan in April. Hungry to once again claim the throne, Oliveira thinks he took one step closer to that with his win over Chandler, a victory he’s very pleased of in the immediate aftermath.

“This is MMA,” Oliveira said. “I think all you want to do is win. It only shows how much I evolved and how much I got better. Old Charles, or Charles from before, would have tightened up a couple grips there and wasted energy or would’ve exploded a little bit to get out of certain positions. All I want to do was win.”

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Making Saturday’s win all the more incredible, Oliveira revealed his camp was bumpy. He suffered a knee injury that knocked him out of his preparation for a period of time, but he still carried out his mission in the end.

“I didn’t want to talk about it before, but yes I did have a knee injury,” Oliveira said. “I spent a lot of time actually without training. Things were tough. I wanted to thank first and foremost my team for not letting me back down, not letting me quit, not letting me stop and making this happen.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 309.

 

Charles Oliveira says Islam Makhachev ‘a little step ahead’ of Arman Tsarukyan

Charles Oliveira gave some insight on Islam Makhachev’s projected title defense vs. Arman Tsarukyan.

[autotag]Charles Oliveira[/autotag] gave some insight on [autotag]Islam Makhachev[/autotag]’s projected title defense vs. [autotag]Arman Tsarukyan[/autotag].

Lightweight champion Makhachev (26-1 MMA, 15-1 UFC) is expected to make his next title defense against Tsarukyan (22-3 MMA, 9-2 UFC) on Jan. 18 at UFC 311, although nothing is confirmed.

Oliveira (34-10 MMA, 22-10 UFC) suffered losses to both Makhachev and Tsarukyan. His setback to Tsarukyan was a razor thin one at UFC 300, but his submission loss to Makhachev in their title fight at UFC 280 was a much more definitive one.

“I’ve told everyone: I think I wasn’t there (against Makhachev). I didn’t fight Islam,” Oliveira told New York Post Sports through an interpreter.

If Tsarukyan is indeed next for Makhachev, Oliveira sees similarities in their game. However, he’s leaning towards Makhachev to get the job done once again.

“They have very similar games, and I think each has to come and look out for the same things,” Oliveira said. “You have to watch out for the striking because they do offer some striking and they also have to be very mindful of the ground game.

“It’s very, very similar styles, and I think that they have to watch out for the same things from each other. I think Islam is a little step ahead of Arman. I think he’s just stronger by a little bit, but when push comes to shove, any of them could win.”

Oliveira runs things back with Michael Chandler (23-8 MMA, 2-3 UFC) Nov. 16 in the UFC 309 co-main event at Madison Square Garden in New York. Oliveira won their first bout by knockout to claim the vacant lightweight title at UFC 262.

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Why Jon Anik considers Islam Makhachev No. 1 pound-for-pound over Jon Jones ‘every day of the week’

The debate over who is the UFC’s pound-for-pound No. 1 fighter isn’t much of a debate to Jon Anik.

Jon Anik doesn’t agree with Dana White, believing that [autotag]Islam Makhachev[/autotag] should be No. 1 pound-for-pound over [autotag]Jon Jones[/autotag].

Lightweight champion Makhachev (25-1 MMA, 14-1 UFC) is ranked No. 1 pound-for-pound in the UFC rankings, which has caused White to melt down on more than one occasion. White argues that Jones is undeniably No. 1, even though he currently sits at No. 3 behind light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira and Makhachev.

Anik agrees with the UFC rankings as he thinks Jones (27-1 MMA, 21-1 UFC) having not competed since claiming the vacant heavyweight title in March 2023 plays a big part.

“Islam Makhachev’s ability to find that takedown and find that submission in his last title defense against Dustin Poirier is about as good as it gets,” Anik told Kevin Iole. “For me, he was the guy going in, so I don’t know that he loses that perch for me. I have always put 155 pounds on a pedestal. I do believe 155 pounds is the deepest division.

“And part of the reason why Ilia Topuria is getting Fighter of the Year consideration, and rightfully so over Alex Pereira, is because of the depth of his division. But for me, it is Islam Makhachev every day of the week. Jon Jones is in the conversation, but inactivity, I think, largely takes him out of the discourse.”

If Jones retires, Anik OK with it

Jones is scheduled to defend his heavyweight title against Stipe Miocic (20-4 MMA, 14-4 UFC) in the UFC 309 main event Nov. 16 at Madison Square Garden in New York.

Both Jones and his coaches have hinted that he will retire after facing Miocic, and Anik thinks he shouldn’t get any flack if that does end up happening.

“If Jon Jones doesn’t fight Tom Aspinall after raising a 16th championship banner in Albuquerque, New Mexico in theory by beating Stipe Miocic, I don’t know that anybody would really judge him,” Anik said.

“Yes, the competitor that resides within Jon Jones, there could be no higher note upon which to go out than to beat either Tom Aspinall or Alex Pereira for Jon Jones, right? But the dude doesn’t need that high note. He’s the greatest of all time.”

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 309.

Michael Chandler claps back at Arman Tsarukyan: ‘Islam Makhachev absolutely smokes him’

Michael Chandler returned fire after Arman Tsarukyan’s most recent jab.

[autotag]Michael Chandler[/autotag] returned fire after [autotag]Arman Tsarukyan[/autotag]’s most recent jab.

Tsarukyan has continuously poked at Chandler’s fight IQ and recently told MMA Junkie that he’s an easy fight for Charles Oliveira. Chandler (23-8 MMA, 2-3 UFC) rematches Oliveira (34-10 MMA, 22-10 UFC) in the Nov. 16 co-main event at Madison Square Garden in New York.

Tsarukyan (22-3 MMA, 9-2 UFC) is currently linked to a title fight with lightweight champion [autotag]Islam Makhachev[/autotag] (26-1 MMA, 15-1 UFC) on Jan. 18 at UFC 311, although nothing is confirmed. Chandler was respectful toward Tsarukyan for the most part in his response but made sure to sneak in his own jab right at the end.

“He’s just a young, hungry dude making his presence be known,” Chandler told the New York Post. “He’s matured. He’s got some great wins. His last win was over Oliveira, my next opponent, so he’s earned this title shot. This is going to be a rematch with him and Islam. He’s doing his thing, but yeah, he doesn’t like me, says bad things about me. After he beat Oliveira, I actually went back and congratulated him. It’s one of those things where I don’t hold any animosity towards anybody. I’ve had my spats with Poirier.

“I’ve had my spats with these different guys in the past. I enjoy competing against people whether they like me or don’t like me. I’m going to always operate like I don’t necessarily like my opponent, but I don’t have anything against him. I don’t go into the octagon with any malice or ill-will in my heart. That’s where I perform the best. Like I said, a happy fighter is a dangerous fighter, and that’s my own personal anecdote of my career thus far, but Arman’s doing his thing. I wish him well. I think Islam absolutely smokes him, but at least he’s got great hair.”

Chandler is seeking redemption against Oliveira. The pair met for the vacant lightweight title at UFC 262 in May 2021, where Oliveira rallied to knock out Chandler in Round 2.

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 309.

Coach Jorge Climent wants Ilia Topuria to challenge Islam Makhachev for UFC lightweight title

After UFC 308, Ilia Topuria’s coach Jorge Climent wants Islam Makhachev next for his pupil

[autotag]Ilia Topuria[/autotag] and his team have had one of the greatest years in MMA history. That doesn’t mean they’re done chasing glory.

Following an impressive title defense at Saturday’s UFC 308 where Topuria (16-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) became the first person to knockout Max Holloway, his head coach [autotag]Jorge Climent[/autotag] wants him to take another leap in his fighting career.

For Climent, this means going up a weight class and challenging UFC lightweight champion [autotag]Islam Makhachev[/autotag], who’s considered by many as the pound-for-pound best.

“The fight that I think would put Ilia at the very top without any discussion that he’s the best fighter in the world would be against Islam Makhachev,” Climent told MMA Junkie in Spanish. “The fight is against Islam because at this moment he’s a defending champion. I know Ilia has only defended his belt once and that can make it difficult to get the opportunity, unless you’re a Conor (McGregor). So I do think they’re going to give it to (Alexander) Volkanovski (next).”

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Climent sees Volkanovski as the next likely option for his pupil. But given the result of their first meeting back in February, he doesn’t see the former champ as the biggest challenge for Topuria.

Climent undoubtedly sees Makhachev as thee toughest test, but still with a clear path to victory.

“It’s our toughest fight,” Climent said. “However, after seeing how much success Volkanovski had against him the first fight, of course (we) see an opportunity. This is the toughest fight, without a doubt, but I like it.”

Many notable fighters called out Topuria following his historic title defense against Holloway, an indication to Climent that Topuria is quickly becoming one of the most important names in the sport.

“Paddy ‘The P*ssy’ made some comments. Dustin Poirier called him out. That means Ilia is doing big things because that only happens when you’re truly doing big things,” Climent said. “Everyone that wants a spotlight is calling him out, Conor and others. I still think the best fight is against (Makhachev) and the biggest money fight is against Conor, which I see a bit unlikely.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 308.

Alexander Volkanovski: Ilia Topuria wouldn’t submit Islam Makhachev, but he can knock him out

Alexander Volkanovski thinks UFC champ Ilia Topuria has the power to put anyone away – at featherweight and lightweight.

[autotag]Alexander Volkanovski[/autotag] thinks UFC champion [autotag]Ilia Topuria[/autotag] has the power to put anyone away – at featherweight and lightweight.

Topuria (16-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) is coming off back-to-back knockouts of Volkanovski and most recently Max Holloway in Saturday’s UFC 308 main event in Abu Dhabi. Topuria wants a shot at lightweight champion [autotag]Islam Makhachev[/autotag] and is confident he can submit him.

Volkanovski isn’t sure about the submitting him part but definitely won’t rule out Topuria’s chance of catching Makhachev (25-1 MMA, 14-1 UFC) on the feet.

“Submission, I don’t see that happening,” Volkanovski said on “The Ariel Helwani Show.” “Can he knock Islam out? Of course. He can knock anyone out in them two divisions (featherweight and lightweight). I’ve always said, and it’s going to be the same for Islam, the only way I see these guys like myself losing is getting caught. Who can catch these? It’s guys like Ilia that can do that.

“He could go out there and land, but going out there and beating Islam or even submitting him and controlling him, I think that is very, very unlikely. But definitely could catch him. Ilia can catch anyone in them two divisions, so you can never count out Ilia in them fights, but they are going to be tough fights. If he can’t knock them out, they’re tough fights for him. Very tough fights.”

Volkanovski (26-4 MMA, 13-3 UFC) has been taking time off ever since losing his featherweight title to Topuria at UFC 298 in February. He appears to have gotten UFC CEO Dana White’s approval on an immediate rematch, but Topuria and his team are not keen on fighting at UFC 312 Feb. 8 in Sydney.

Both Volkanovski and Diego Lopes have openly said they would fight each other on that date for the interim title if Topuria opts against a relatively quick turnaround.

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 308.

Javier Mendez doesn’t think Ilia Topuria can hang with Islam Makhachev on the ground

Javier Mendez doesn’t think it would be wise for Ilia Topuria to go to the mat with Islam Makhachev in a fight.

[autotag]Javier Mendez[/autotag] sees [autotag]Ilia Topuria[/autotag] having a tough time with [autotag]Islam Makhachev[/autotag] on the ground.

After becoming the first fighter to knock out Max Holloway at UFC 308, featherweight champion Topuria (16-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) continued to express interest in a fight with lightweight champion Makhachev.

Topuria is confident that he can submit Makhachev (25-1 MMA, 14-1 UFC), but American Kickboxing Academy head coach Mendez thinks it wouldn’t be wise for Topuria to tangle with Makhachev on the ground.

“That would be an area I’d be foolish to want to try to go up against, boxing for boxing,” Mendez told Submission Radio. “That’s not a smart move, you know? And it just would be like, if Ilia decided to go submission for submission with Islam, that’s not a smart move on his part either. So it’s all strategy and how you approach it, how your fighter approaches it and, what mistakes you can correct while the fight is going on.

“That’s what I think is more important than anything. When the fight does get matched, it’s just your game plan, your strategy, executing it. Whether he can hang with Islam or not on the ground, I would have to say no. Based on what I see with everybody and Islam. The only person that really did the most with him was Khabib, and at the end of the day, the longer you grapple with Islam, the worse it’s going to get.”

Mendez dubbed Topuria as the best boxer in all of MMA, and even though Makhachev has proven he can stand with the best, he wouldn’t advise him to do so against Topuria.

“I mean, when he took Max down with ease in the first round, I said, ‘That’s the way you fight MMA,’ and he has a very strong stand-up game,” Mendez said of Topuria. “I would think that he’s probably the best boxer in the whole entire division. He’s really crisp and very on point with his boxing, and therefore you see how he uses it really, really well. He’s a complete fighter, but his boxing, I think, is his best attribute out of everything he does. He’s impressive, very impressive.”

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 308.

Arman Tsarukyan says Islam Makhachev ‘doesn’t deserve’ No. 1 pound-for-pound spot, backs Jon Jones

Arman Tsarukyan sides with UFC CEO Dana White on the pound-for-pound debate ahead of his title fight vs. Islam Makhachev.

ABU DHABI – [autotag]Arman Tsarukyan[/autotag] can’t help but think he should be just a few days from fighting [autotag]Islam Makhachev[/autotag] for the lightweight title at UFC 308. Instead, he’ll have to wait a few more months.

Tsarukyan (22-3 MMA, 9-2 UFC) was ready and willing to fight Makhachev (26-1 MMA, 15-1 UFC) on Saturday’s card at Etihad Arena, but then the champion sustained a hand injury that prolonged his timeline for a return into early 2025.

Despite that, Tsarukyan flew to the event as a guest fighter to feel the energy of a massive fight week on a card now headlined by Ilia Topuria and Max Holloway. However, he admits he wishes it was him in the main event.

“We were supposed to fight here and then in December, but now they told me beginning of next year,” Tsarukyan told MMA Junkie on Tuesday. “I’m getting ready and hopefully it’s going to be in January or February. It’s going to be a title fight for sure. I wish I fight this weekend because I don’t want to waste my time and wait, because I fought just one time this year. I wanted to fight now and then rest and then fight and defend my title next year.”

Tsarukyan’s showdown with Makhachev, whenever it happens, will be a rematch between the two top-ranked lightweights in the UFC. They first met in April 2019, with Tsarukyan losing a decision in the Fight of the Night. He took the bout on short notice and performed admirably, but both men have improved significantly since then.

It’s Tsarukyan’s expectation that the second encounter will be a competitive one, as well, but ultimately he is setting the bar high for himself, and that means finishing the job without the involvement of the judges.

“You can’t say it’s going to be an easy fight,” Tsarukyan said. “I try to think it’s going to be easy for me, and I don’t want to think it’s going to be a decision. I want to finish him.”

According to the UFC’s official rankings, Makhachev is currently the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in the organization. UFC CEO Dana White has adamantly rejected that notion and emphatically backed Jon Jones for the position, and Tsarukyan tends to agree with that stance.

“No, he doesn’t deserve it,” Tsarukyan said. “I agree the No. 1 pound-for-pound is Jon Jones because he’s a legend. He’s still fighting. We’ll see. Next month he’s fighting and if he beats Stipe Miocic, he’s got to be No. 1 pound-for-pound. Then when he retires, of course it’s Islam.”

Tsarukyan, 28, said he expects the fight with Makhachev, 32, to be finalized in the coming days, with UFC 311 on Jan. 18 or UFC 312 on Feb. 12 being the most likely dates. If Tsarukyan captures the 155-pound strap, he would be 1-1 in head-to-head competition with Makhachev. Does that mean a trilogy would be next? He can’t say for sure, but Tsarukyan would most certainly be open to more fights with Makhachev going forward.

“For me, it doesn’t matter – I can fight with him three or four times,” Tsarukyan said. “I just want the title. After the title I can tell what I’m going to do. My goal is just to win the title and then after that I don’t know what I’m going to do.”

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Khabib Nurmagomedov explains why UFC fans won’t ever miss him in the cage

Khabib Nurmagomedov again insists there’s no chance he will ever fight, but don’t worry about that.

[autotag]Khabib Nurmagomedov[/autotag] insists there’s no chance he will ever return to fighting.

Nurmagomedov, the former undefeated UFC lightweight champion and UFC Hall of Famer, continuously gets asked if he’d contemplate coming out of retirement, but he heavily dismissed that possibility once again.

Nurmagomedov retired in October 2020 after submitting Justin Gaethje to retain his lightweight title. While many wonder what could have been if “The Eagle” continued fighting, Nurmagomedov said there’s no need. He plans on having his legacy live through his proteges, which has already seen [autotag]Islam Makhachev[/autotag] claim the UFC lightweight title and defend it three times.

“If you guys need champions, I’m helping my brothers to become champions,” Nurmagomedov said in an interview with iNews. “We have Islam as a champion, we have Umar (Nurmagomedov) as next contender, we have Usman (Nurmagomedov) as champion. We have a lot of champions. You guys are never going to miss me because, in our team and our gym, we create champions. You guys are always going to have champions, don’t worry.”

In an  interview with Ushatayka, Nurmagomedov revealed that Makhachev is looking at January for his next title defense. He didn’t reveal the opponent, but it is expected to be a rematch against Arman Tsarukyan, whom he defeated by decision in April 2019.

“Islam is now not only a champion, he is the pound-for-pound best fighter in the world,” Nurmagomedov said. “UFC offered us a fight already, in January. We accepted it.”

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