Tag: Islam Makhachev

Islam Makhachev reveals hand injury, possible surgery could delay next UFC title defense

Islam Makhachev has every intention of defending his UFC title against Arman Tsarukyan this year, but his health might say otherwise.

[autotag]Islam Makhachev[/autotag] has every intention of defending his UFC title against Arman Tsarukyan this year, but his health might say otherwise.

UFC lightweight champ Makhachev (26-1 MMA, 15-1 UFC) has revealed a lingering hand injury stemming from his fifth-round submission win over Dustin Poirier at UFC 302 in June still is giving him issues – and is raising questions about whether he’ll be able to defend against Tsarukyan (22-3 MMA, 9-2 UFC) at UFC 308 on Oct. 26 in Abu Dhabi.

Makhachev said the UFC has yet to formally discuss the fight date with his team, but his expectation was to get back in the octagon this year. However, recent MRI results have now put his status in question.

“After the fight (with Poirier), my fists hurt, a lot of things hurt,” Makhachev told Ushatayka in Russian (HT/Championship Rounds on X). “We’ll take time. Everything is healing little by little. But my hand continues to bother me. An MRI recently confirmed that I have a partial ligament tear. Let’s see if I can recover. If not, I might even have to have surgery.

“It is questionable (if I will fight at UFC 308). We haven’t talked about the fight yet. I am doing rehabilitation every day now. And we’ll see how the hand goes.”

Makhachev is aware of the narratives from members of a section of the fanbase who claim he doesn’t compete frequently enough, despite the fact he’s fought at least twice a year every year since 2020. It’s not his desire to have an extended break from competition, but his recovery timetable may change that.

“I really want to perform before the end of the year,” Makhachev said. “I plan to. So far, I haven’t even thought about not performing. I want to come in shape, prepared, so that nothing bothers me. Before the last fight, there were also a lot of minor injuries. Everyone somehow accumulated. I want to give my body time to recover.”

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

Khabib, Islam, Usman, Umar … Meet Amru Magomedov, next in succession in the Nurmagomedov dynasty

Meet the 25-year-old who could next become the household name crafted by Team Nurmagomedov.

The year was 2016 and Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov was holding a training session in Makhachkala, the capital of Dagestan.

[autotag]Khabib Nurmagomedov[/autotag] was still two years away from winning gold, but the traction was starting to build. Something special was being crafted. The skill level in the Russian training room was elevated slightly each day, under Abdulmanap’s direction.

In that room stood a recent UFC debutant, [autotag]Islam Makhachev[/autotag], fresh off a bounce-back win over Chris Wade. Soon-to-be professional debutants, brothers Usman and Umar Nurmagomedov also were among the pack.

There also was a 17-year-old, [autotag]Amru Magomedov[/autotag], a family friend of the Nurmagomedovs since childhood.

The lessons Magomedov learned as one of the younger guys in a room full of future legends and notables laid the foundation for what would eventually build into one of the world’s most promising prospects. Magomedov forever owes a lot to Abdulmanap and the teachings that continue to be passed down through fight generations.

“I have all the best memories working with Abdulmanap, training with him,” Magomedov told MMA Junkie, of his coach and mentor, who died in 2020. “I spent four years with him. Obviously, he was taking care of all the guys. He would come wake us up in the morning, making sure everybody is training in the morning and in the evening. He was all about discipline. He said, ‘It’s very important you guys be disciplined. You should follow the regiment and everything is going to be great. Make sure you go to sleep on time.’ So yeah, he definitely was the one who started this whole thing and I’m thankful to know him.”

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Over the next eight years, Magomedov traveled the world, assisting his training partners during massive championship fight weeks. He saw Khabib and Makhachev win UFC gold, Usman win Bellator gold, and Umar establish himself as a top UFC contender.

All the while, Magomedov absorbed knowledge and experience. The reps benefited his own abilities, which he’s showed seven times as a professional. In October, he clinched UAE Warriors lightweight gold and moved to 7-0 when he quickly submitted Jakhongir Jumaev.

Magomedov has never felt pressured, despite the predictions and expectations by those around him that he’ll be next to make an impact on the global stage. The legends and stars are just friends at work. He plans to do his job the same way they did.

“Well, it’s not as much pressure since I’ve known them for a while now,” Magomedov said. “I get motivation from them. They inspire me. I always tried since I started training to become champion. I want to be No. 1 and these guys are already at the top of their career, Khabib, Islam Makhachev, Umar, Usman. They are all pushing me forward and I always strive to be the best. So they’re very inspirational to me. Obviously, we have a lot of other guys in our gym that are on the same level and that are up and coming.”

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Magomedov, 25, headlines UAE Warriors 51 on Saturday in Abu Dhabi as he looks for his first title defense against Ali Kabdulla (9-2-1). He enters the fight with five finishes in seven appearances. His most recent two victories came over opponents with a combined 17-3 record.

If he wins, Magomedov hopes the UFC comes calling.

“I don’t want to consider any other leagues as of now,” Magomedov said. “I think if I put a spectacular fight and finish early on this Saturday, then I might have a good chance of getting into the UFC next.”

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Now under the guidance of Khabib, Magomedov takes his career one step at a time. But given the deeply-engrained mindset instilled in him nearly a decade ago by Abdulmanap, the aspirations and motivations are nothing short of championship.

“I think pretty much any fighter when they start their career have a goal and try to get into the UFC,” Magomedov said. “So far the way it is going, I think that’s where I’m going to be headed. I don’t just want to be another fighter in the UFC. Obviously, I want to become champion one day.”

This interview was conducted with the assistance of a Russian-language interpreter.

Leon Edwards’ coach, Dave Lovell, breaks down potential Islam Makhachev matchup

Dave Lovell thinks Islam Makhachev would struggle with fellow UFC champion Leon Edwards’ size.

Coach [autotag]Dave Lovell[/autotag] believes UFC lightweight champion [autotag]Islam Makhachev[/autotag] would struggle with [autotag]Leon Edwards[/autotag]’ size.

Makhachev (27-1 MMA, 16-1 UFC) has reiterated interest in moving up to challenge welterweight champ Edwards (21-3 MMA, 13-2 UFC). The pair trained together years ago at American Kickboxing Academy. With Edwards’ recent title defenses coming over standout wrestlers such as Colby Covington and Kamaru Usman, Lovell is confident that Edwards would be able to handle Makhachev’s grappling prowess.

“Leon’s had a feel of him already because back in the day, they were at (American Kickboxing Academy) when they basically first started out their career, and they did have a little wrestle, along with Khabib and the rest of the boys,” Lovell told Submission Radio. “So you know, Islam moving up to welter, would he be big enough? Would he have the same effect that he has at his weight now? I don’t think so. Has he met a sharpshooter like Leon? No, he hasn’t. And again, what can Islam bring to Leon? Size wise, Leon’s physically bigger than him. Outreaches him.

“So again, he’s going to resort to what he knows, which is his wrestling. So it’s just unfortunate that you look at the last guys Leon fought: Usman twice, Colby, all wrestlers. Now Belal, wrestler. Islam, he’s not known for his striking. They’re known for their wrestling, and that’s basically – Leon’s improving. People don’t understand, which is what I told Ariel Helwani in the last interview. He said to me about the wrestling with Leon, and I said that everybody just may get shocked when Leon comes out against Colby and shows Colby and Usman his quality of wrestling, and he proved it to the world.”

Edwards will look to make his third title defense when he rematches Belal Muhammad (23-3 MMA, 14-3 UFC) in Saturday’s UFC 304 headliner at Co-op Live in Manchester, England.

Like Makhachev, Edwards also has his sights set on dual-champion status, and Lovell sees that goal as attainable.

“One step at a time,” Lovell said. “But if that’s his plan, which is not a bad plan because we’ve got a few fighters that have done it and in the process of wanting to do it, so why should Leon be any different? He’s big enough that he could fill out to make a middleweight.

“I wouldn’t suggest he stays there, but if he can go up there and pick a fight where he can get a title win and then move back down to welterweight, well, that would be his dream to be fair right now. That’s his next move. But, you know, when that comes, we’ll look on obviously making that move.”

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 304.

Leon Edwards open to Islam Makhachev fight but also eyes middleweight: ‘Why not chase greatness?’

Leon Edwards wants to climb the UFC’s pound-for-pound rankings by challenging himself even more.

[autotag]Leon Edwards[/autotag] wants to climb the UFC’s pound-for-pound rankings.

Edwards (21-3 MMA, 13-2 UFC) defends his welterweight title in a rematch against Belal Muhammad in the UFC 304 headliner July 27 at Co-op Live in Manchester, England. Edwards is currently ranked No. 4 in the official pound-for-pound rankings and is aiming to ascend.

“That’s my goal,” Edwards told talkSPORT MMA. “Obviously my first goal was to achieve this (UFC title), and now I’ve got it. I’ve got to make another goal, what’s going to get me up in the morning to go out there and achieve what I’m trying to achieve – the numbers, the money, the pound-for-pound rankings.”

Lightweight champ [autotag]Islam Makhachev[/autotag] (25-1 MMA, 14-1 UFC) has expressed his interest in challenging for the welterweight title on numerous occasions, and Edwards can see that fight happening.

But Edwards has the desire to move up a weight class himself.

“For sure, for sure,” Edwards said of fighting Makhachev. “I feel like we’ve both got work to do within our division. I feel Islam just fought his first actual lightweight (Poirier). He fought Volk, but this is his first actual lightweight he’s fought within the division.

“He’s on a three defense streak. After I beat Belal, that will be my third, as well, so we’re both on similar paths. I can see that happening in the future. Also, I would like to move up, as well, and challenge for the middleweight belt hopefully. I feel like I’d have the size for it and the skill for it, so why not chase greatness?”

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 304.

Rafael dos Anjos on Islam Makhachev: ‘I don’t think he can beat Leon Edwards and become a double champion’

Rafael dos Anjos doesn’t like Islam Makhachev’s chances of becoming a UFC champ-champ.

[autotag]Rafael dos Anjos[/autotag] doesn’t like [autotag]Islam Makhachev[/autotag]’s chances of becoming a UFC double champion.

Makhachev (27-1 MMA, 16-1 UFC), who defended his lightweight title three times, has reiterated his interest in moving up to welterweight to challenge [autotag]Leon Edwards[/autotag].

Dos Anjos (32-16 MMA, 21-14 UFC), who has competed at both lightweight and welterweight throughout his career, thinks Makhachev would struggle with the size at a weight class above.

“He’s in a very good momentum right now, but I don’t think he can beat Leon Edwards and become a double champion,” dos Anjos told Submission Radio. “I just think like, the size difference. Leon is a much bigger guy, and we see smaller guys like (Dustin) Poirier giving Islam a lot of trouble.

“Poirier, he’s very tough, but he usually fights at 145, and he gave Islam a hard fight. Islam choked him in the fifth, I think. Poirier, you can see he’s a great fighter. I got a lot of respect for him. But if you see all his title defenses, like he got submitted, and I think he’s very weak on that point or like, his submission defense are not on point. Like, he always falls short on that aspect.”

Former lightweight champion dos Anjos plans on returning to 170 pounds after bouncing around weight classes in his past six fights. He has two particular names in mind for his next fight.

“I see Stephen Thompson, he doesn’t have a fight coming up,” dos Anjos said. “Kevin Holland doesn’t have a fight coming up. And those are good names, you know, like that make sense for me.”

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Beneil Dariush handicaps UFC champ Islam Makhachev vs. Arman Tsarukyan as ’60-40′ or ’55-45′ fight

Beneil Dariush thinks Arman Tsarukyan has what it takes to threaten Islam Makhachev’s UFC lightweight title reign.

LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Beneil Dariush[/autotag] thinks [autotag]Arman Tsarukyan[/autotag] has what it takes to threaten [autotag]Islam Makhachev[/autotag]’s title reign.

It is expected that Tsarukyan (22-3 MMA, 9-2 UFC) will challenge lightweight titleholder Makhachev (26-1 MMA, 15-1 UFC) later this year in a rematch of an April 2019 bout from UFC Fight Night 149, which saw Makhachev leave with a unanimous decision win a highly-competitive affair.

Both men were young in the UFC at that time, but have come a long way since and will run it back at the top of the game. Dariush (22-6-1 MMA, 16-6-1 UFC) is one of Tsarukyan’s most recent opponents, having suffered a 64-second knockout loss in their main event at UFC on ESPN 52 in December.

Although Makhachev is the current No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie rankings, Dariush doesn’t think Tsarukyan is that far off.

“I thought he looked really good (against Charles Oliveira at UFC 300),” Dariush told MMA Junkie and other reporters during an interview on the 2024 UFC Hall of Fame red carpet. “I thought he looked really good against Charles. Charles is a very difficult fight for most people, and he was able to pull it off. I think he has a really good shot against Islam.”

Despite thinking Tsarukyan has a solid chance at taking the belt, Dariush struggles to fully commit to picking against Makhachev, and said the result will likely come down to some key variables.

“I would favor Islam, like a 60-45 or a 55-45,” Dariush said. “It’s going to be a close fight. I think Makhachev is better at energy conservation.”

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Islam Makhachev says Michael Chandler not a reliable opponent: ‘One tweet from your master, and you’ll run away’

UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev won’t invest his energy on Michael Chandler as a potential opponent.

UFC lightweight champion [autotag]Islam Makhachev[/autotag] won’t invest his energy on [autotag]Michael Chandler[/autotag] as a potential opponent.

Chandler (23-8 MMA, 2-3 UFC) revealed that he was offered a title shot against Makhachev in October after his main event with Conor McGregor this past Saturday at UFC 303 fell through.

However, Chandler made it clear that is priority is to rebook the McGregor (22-6 MMA, 10-4 UFC) fight for UFC 306 Sept. 14 at the Sphere. He did poke at Makhachev after though, claiming that his wrestling his better than Makhachev’s sambo.

“Good old fashioned passionate American @MizzouWrestling beats sambo all day. @MAKHACHEVMMA.”

“I’ve been 🎯 your ass for 8 years…good, old-fashioned, passionate @MizzouWrestling beats Dagestani sambo every day of the week @MAKHACHEVMMA.”

Chandler continued to angle for Makhachev.

I don’t get taken down in the open, I don’t get taken down on the cage…I don’t get taken down, period. #andNEW.”

Makhachev (25-1 MMA, 14-1 UFC) responded with a jab of his own, implying that Chandler plays by McGregor’s rules.

“You are unreliable dude, one tweet from your master, and you’ll run away. Champ needs real opponent.”

Makhachev notched his third title defense by submitting Dustin Poirier at UFC 302 in June. No. 1 contender Arman Tsarukyan was expected to be next in line, but his nine-month suspension from the Nevada Athletic Commission for throwing a punch at a fan during his UFC 300 walkout may delay his return.

Chandler has been waiting for the McGregor fight to materialize. He hasn’t competed since a submission loss to Poirier in November 2022.

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Rafael dos Anjos: Islam Makhachev can’t be No. 1 pound-for-pound with two title defenses over a featherweight

Rafael dos Anjos doesn’t think Islam Makhachev’s resume warrants the No. 1 spot in the UFC’s pound-for-pound rankings.

[autotag]Rafael dos Anjos[/autotag] doesn’t think [autotag]Islam Makhachev[/autotag]’s resume warrants the No. 1 spot in the UFC’s pound-for-pound rankings.

UFC lightweight champion Makhachev (25-1 MMA, 14-1 UFC) tied the division’s record of three title defenses when he submitted Dustin Poirier at UFC 302 earlier this month. His other two title defenses came over former featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski.

UFC CEO Dana White argued that former UFC light heavyweight champion and current heavyweight champ Jon Jones (27-1 MMA, 21-1 UFC) should be the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter, and dos Anjos agrees. Jones returned from an over three-year long layoff at UFC 285 to submit Ciryl Gane and claim the vacant heavyweight title.

“I don’t know who made those rankings, but a guy like Jon Jones, he’s a double-division champion,” dos Anjos told Sherdog. “He’s undefeated. I agree with Dana White 100 percent: If Jon Jones is around, he’s going to be the pound-for-pound, for sure – No. 1.

“He’s the best guy in the world in his division, and pound-for-pound as well. I don’t believe Islam Makhachev, with two title defenses against a featherweight and one title defense against a real lightweight, can be pound-for-pound No. 1.”

Former UFC lightweight champion dos Anjos (32-16 MMA, 21-14 UFC), who lost to Makhachev’s mentor Khabib Nurmagomedov in 2014, will ride out the rest of his career at welterweight – where he challenged for the interim title before in 2018.

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Chael Sonnen surprised Arman Tsarukyan turned down Islam Makhachev at UFC 302: ‘It’s not a good idea historically’

Chael Sonnen questions Arman Tsarukyan’s decision not to fight Islam Makhachev at UFC 302.

[autotag]Chael Sonnen[/autotag] questions [autotag]Arman Tsarukyan[/autotag]’s decision not to fight [autotag]Islam Makhachev[/autotag] at UFC 302.

After defeating Charles Oliveira at UFC 300 in April, Tsarukyan turned down a short-notice opportunity to challenge lightweight champion Makhachev earlier this month. Makhachev faced Dustin Poirier instead, submitting him in Round 5.

Tsarukyan (22-3 MMA, 9-2 UFC) is the current No. 1 contender. However, Makhachev (25-1 MMA, 14-1 UFC) is more interested in other options such as the welterweight title and even Conor McGregor, over running things back with Tsarukyan.

Sonnen thinks Tsarukyan may now have missed out on his title opportunity.

“Somebody in that spot would be very vulnerable to have that spot taken,” Sonnen said on his YouTube channel. “Tsarukyan was offered Islam. The very fight that Dustin Poirier just did was offered to Tsarukyan. … I was surprised that he said no. It’s not a good idea, historically speaking, in the UFC – and this is a 99 percent: It’s not a good idea to turn down fights.”

Sonnen is also surprised that no other lightweight contender has issued Makhachev a callout, or tried to take Tsarukyan’s title contention spot.

“There’s not a 155-pounder out there who has called out Islam, for one, but who has gone after Arman’s spot, for two,” Sonnen said. “And what a vulnerable position that is, by using the facts, by using the truth, by bringing up the fact (Tsarukyan) turned it down, it’s one of these things. I don’t think Islam himself who doesn’t overly want to do the fight – Islam just wants new matchups. I think we all understand that.”

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Ali Abdelaziz: Islam Makhachev wouldn’t say no to ‘massive star’ Conor McGregor for next title defense

It appears Conor McGregor may be able to jump the line and earn a title shot with a win at UFC 303.

It appears [autotag]Conor McGregor[/autotag] may be able to jump the line and earn a title shot with a win at UFC 303.

McGregor (22-6 MMA, 10-4 UFC) returns in the June 29 main event in a welterweight bout against Michael Chandler (23-8 MMA, 2-3 UFC).

Both UFC lightweight champion [autotag]Islam Makhachev[/autotag] (25-1 MMA, 14-1 UFC) and now his manager [autotag]Ali Abdelaziz[/autotag] are on board with McGregor being next in line with a win over Chandler.

“Conor might go there and knock out Chandler in the first round and after that, he’s one of the biggest stars in the sport,” Abdelaziz told Submission Radio. “Like him or hate him, he is. And if he tells the UFC, ‘Hey, I want a title shot,’ Islam wants a title shot, that can be the next title shot. Islam’s not going to say no to this fight. It’s a big fight, it’s a big name, it’s a lot more money.”

It’s no secret that Abdelaziz isn’t a fan of McGregor. He was a target in McGregor’s trash talk in the build up to the Khabib Nurmagomedov fight at UFC 229 – the highest-selling pay-per-view in company history.

“The guy’s a massive star,” Abdelaziz said. “I think he’s a piece of sh*t, but he is a massive star. You can’t take this away from him. With the history with Khabib and with him and with Islam, it will be all over again. It’ll be all over again and it’ll be one of the biggest fights you can make today.

“One thing I know about Dana White, he likes money and he likes business. That’s why the UFC is so big right now. You have Dana, you have Hunter, you have Sean, you have Mick. They are great minds, and they put on the biggest fights that can sell the most pay per views.”

Abdelaziz has his hesitations on McGregor’s form after “The Notorious” has been constantly seen partying in the lead-up to his fight with Chandler.

“Conor has to get off the bottle and he has to leave the drugs alone and focus,” Abdelaziz said. “The guy was a two-division champion, and he has talent. But is the hard work now there or not there anymore? You have to ask him this question.”

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 303.