Tag: Islam Makhachev

With Rafael dos Anjos out, Islam Makhachev won’t compete at UFC 254

Islam Makhachev won’t fight this month, as attempts to find him a replacement foe at UFC 254 didn’t pan out.

[autotag]Islam Makhachev[/autotag] won’t be fighting this month.

The UFC was unable to find the lightweight competitor a short-notice replacement opponent for UFC 254 on Oct. 24 in Abu Dhabi. Yahoo Sports  broke the news Thursday.

Makhachev (18-1 MMA, 7-1 UFC) was scheduled to fight former UFC lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos, but last week the Brazilian was forced to withdraw from the bout due to a positive COVID-19 test.

Makhachev last fought in September 2019 at UFC 242 where he outpointed Davi Ramos. The American Kickboxing Academy product is currently on a six-fight winning streak. His lone defeat came in 2015 to Adriano Martins.

[lawrence-related id=558732,558143]

Makhachev is ranked No. 12 in the UFC’s official lightweight rankings.

Below is the updated UFC 254 lineup:

  • Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Justin Gaethje
  • Jared Cannonier vs. Robert Whittaker
  • Walt Harris vs. Alexander Volkov
  • Cynthia Calvillo vs. Lauren Murphy
  • Magomed Ankalaev vs. Ion Cutelaba
  • Phil Hawes vs. Jacob Malkoun
  • Stefan Struve vs. Tai Tuivasa
  • Alex Oliveira vs. Shavkat Rakhmonov
  • Sam Alvey vs. Da Un Jung
  • Liana Jojua vs. Miranda Maverick
  • Casey Kenney vs. Nathaniel Wood
  • Sergey Morozov vs.  Umar Nurmagomedov
  • Joel Alvarez vs. Alexander Yakovlev

[vertical-gallery id=439882]

Rafael dos Anjos announces UFC 254 withdrawal after positive COVID-19 test

Former UFC lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos won’t be competing at UFC 254 against Islam Makhachev.

Former UFC lightweight champion [autotag]Rafael dos Anjos[/autotag] won’t be competing Oct. 24 against [autotag]Islam Makhachev[/autotag].

According to a statement issued on Twitter on Thursday, dos Anjos (29-13 MMA, 18-11 UFC) was withdrawn from his UFC 254 bout after testing positive for COVID-19.

Dos Anjos’ statement reads as follows:

“Life is like those things that we don’t understand now, but that will be revealed in the future. I left the comfort zone in the United States to come to Rio de Janeiro and restart my career. The stay was the best possible, feeling the warmth of my wonderful city, breathing the smell that only the ocean here has, and sharing the joy of the priceless smiles of my people even hidden behind the masks. Being able to be taken care of by the health professionals who are the best in the world and who I trust with my eyes closed, experiencing the training with the best coaches and other professionals who struggle every day to achieve their dreams. I came to rescue my dream of becoming a champion again, and that goal was achieved. Sharing my experiences with the Nova Uniao team and learning many details to improve my game and close the gaps in the future, none of this was in vain. Unfortunately, I will not be able to compete on the 24th. COVID-19 caught me big time and the doctors cut me out. But soon I will be back victorious inside the Octagon! Nothing can take away the blessing that is upon us. God will provide.”

Dos Anjos, 35, has not competed since a January unanimous decision loss to Michael Chiesa at UFC on ESPN+ 24. After an eight-fight stint at welterweight, which saw him split his outings at four wins and four losses, dos Anjos was scheduled to return to lightweight against Makhachev (18-1 MMA, 7-1 UFC).

The UFC has not publicly acknowledged dos Anjos’ statement, nor has a replacement opponent be named at this time.

With the change, the UFC 254 lineup now includes:

  • Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Justin Gaethje – for UFC lightweight title
  • Jared Cannonier vs. Robert Whittaker
  • Walt Harris vs. Alexander Volkov
  • Islam Makhachev vs. TBA
  • Cynthia Calvillo vs. Lauren Murphy
  • Magomed Ankalaev vs. Ion Cutelaba
  • Phil Hawes vs. Jacob Malkoun
  • Stefan Struve vs. Tai Tuivasa
  • Alex Oliveira vs. Shavkat Rakhmonov
  • Sam Alvey vs. Da Un Jung
  • Liana Jojua vs. Miranda Maverick
  • Sergey Morozov vs. Umar Nurmagomedov
  • Casey Kenney vs. Nathaniel Wood
  • Joel Alvarez vs. Alexander Yakovlev

[vertical-gallery id=326871]

Rafael dos Anjos returns to lightweight, meets Islam Makhachev at UFC 254

Ex-champ Rafael dos Anjos returns to lightweight for the first time in four years when he meets Islam Makhachev at UFC 254.

[autotag]Rafael dos Anjos[/autotag] will face one of the division’s hottest prospects in his return to lightweight.

Dos Anjos (30-13 MMA, 18-11 UFC), the former 155-pound titleholder, is set to take on [autotag]Islam Makhachev[/autotag] (18-1 MMA, 7-1 UFC) at UFC 254 on Oct. 24. The event is expected to take place at Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, but has not been officially announced.

MMA Junkie verified the matchup with multiple people close to the situation following an initial report from BJ Penn.com. The people requested anonymity because UFC has yet to make an announcement.

[lawrence-related id=527801,527736]

Dos Anjos will return to lightweight for the first time since a November 2016 loss to Tony Ferguson. The Brazilian started out his welterweight tenure at 3-0, but has since dropped four of his past five, with his lone win coming over Kevin Lee. He will return to his original weight class, where he hasn’t won since December 2015, when he takes on the streaking Makhachev.

Makhachev has had a hard time drawing a top-ranked opponent. After suffering his lone career loss in 2015, Makhachev has won six straight, most recently out-grappling Davi Ramos at UFC 242 in September.

With the addition, the latest UFC 254 lineup includes:

  • Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Justin Gaethje
  • Jared Cannonier vs. Robert Whittaker
  • Cynthia Calvillo vs. Lauren Murphy
  • Walt Harris vs. Alexander Volkov
  • Sergey Morozov vs. Umar Nurmagomedov
  • Rafael dos Anjos vs. Islam Makhachev

[vertical-gallery id=326871]

[vertical-gallery id=439882]

Drew Dober wants Islam Makhachev next: ‘He’s a good test for me’

Surging UFC lightweight contender Drew Dober wants one of the least sought out opponents in the division, Islam Makhachev.

[autotag]Drew Dober[/autotag] is not looking for an easy route to the top.

Dober (23-9 MMA, 9-5 UFC), who has knocked out his last three opponents in a row, is enjoying perhaps his best career run. He is coming off a second-round finish of Alexander Hernandez in May, which saw him earn his second straight “Performance of the Night” bonus.

Having just cracked the UFC’s top-15 lightweight rankings, Dober is going after one of the least sought out opponents in the division. He wants elite grappler [autotag]Islam Makhachev[/autotag] next.

The two were scheduled to fight in 2016, but the fight was canceled after Makhachev (18-1 MMA, 7-1 UFC) tested positive for meldonium, which he served no suspension for when the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency determined that the substance was ingested “without fault or negligence.”

Four years later, Dober said he would love to see that matchup rebooked and wants to share the card with his teammate, UFC interim lightweight champion Justin Gaethje, who is expected to unify his belt with Makhachev’s teammate, UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, sometime in the fall.

“The matchup was meant to happen and why not put two of the most exciting fighters in the lightweight division against Russia’s best on the same card?” Dober told MMA Junkie.

“I think right now everyone is going to try to take me down. Islam is a solid grappler and a good test for me.”

[vertical-gallery id=518857]

Alexander Hernandez unsure of Islam Makhachev’s UFC 249 status: ‘We’re kind of in the dark’

Alexander Hernandez recognizes the likelihood he won’t be fighting Islam Makhachev at UFC 249.

[autotag]Alexander Hernandez[/autotag] recognizes there’s a high likelihood he won’t fight [autotag]Islam Makhachev[/autotag] at UFC 249.

The two lightweight contenders are currently booked for the UFC’s pay-per-view event April 18. However, Makhachev (17-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC) is currently in Russia. Like his training partner, UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, Makhachev will likely be unable to leave the country due to coronavirus-related travel restrictions.

This puts him in an unusual position. According to Hernandez (11-2 MMA, 3-1 UFC), there haven’t been many updates from the promotion regarding the event. He’s preparing for a fight, which doesn’t have a location – and likely doesn’t have an opponent for him to fight.

“We’re all in the dark,” Hernandez told MMA Junkie on Wednesday. “It’s just like everything else. When we hear the official word, we all hear the official word. (Expletive), half the time I wait for a tag on Instagram to know something is locked in. Obviously with Khabib being stuck in Russia, I imagine Islam is on the same plane out there.

“The circumstances of my opponent are a little hazy at this point. Everything has been hazy. They are keeping all of the information close to their chest because I’m certain they don’t want to be making any more false announcements. It’s just been kind of a fog. I’ll just keep following this UFC yellow brick road through all the scary (expletive) on the sides. I just hope there’s an arena and a pot of gold at the end. We’re kind of in the dark.”

[lawrence-related id=504142,504049,504109]

Despite the disarray the COVID-19 pandemic has caused, Herandez thinks he’s in the best mental state of his entire UFC tenure. Hernandez said the obstacles in his training camp have caused him to make adjustments, but the process is still on track.

“Food resources were getting difficult,” Hernandez said. “The produce isle was still open, but just getting in and out of there was an (expletive). The gym hours being what they were. The city got shut down a little over a week ago. Everything was closing in. It just looked a little bleak. I was like, ‘Man, this (expletive) does suck.’ We turned that (expletive) around real quick.

“I’ve got a great team of people. … We boarded up the windows. I’ve got butcher tape all over my walls so it looks like we’ve got a meth lab cooking in the back. We’ve just been going in there, running operations all the same.”

If Makhachev is indeed unable to make it to UFC 249, Hernandez hopes the promotion gives him Diego Ferreira or Drew Dober, who are scheduled to square off May 2 at UFC on ESPN+ 32.

“I’ve stayed focused on Islam, but I was perusing the matches,” Hernandez said. “I saw (Diego) Ferreira and (Drew) Dober were matched up in May. I imagine both of those guys have been training and might be prepared to step up. I’m also thinking about them.”

[lawrence-related id=503983,503904,503861]

In the end, though, Hernandez said it could be Makhachev, Ferreira, or Dober. They’re all the same to him.

“It’s always me vs. me featuring whoever,” Hernandez said. “I don’t give a damn who they put across from me in two-and-a-half weeks. I’ve overcome myself.”

Check out MMA Junkie’s full UFC 249 pre-fight interview with Alexander Hernandez in the video above.

[vertical-gallery id=424160]

[vertical-gallery id=376004]

Sean Shelby’s Shoes: What’s next for Kevin Lee after UFC on ESPN+ 28 loss?

See whom Kevin Lee should fight next after his loss to Charles Oliveira at UFC on ESPN+ 28 in Brasilia, Brazil.

[autotag]Kevin Lee[/autotag] lost a UFC main event for the fourth time in six tries Saturday when he succumbed to a submission against Charles Oliveira in the UFC on ESPN+ 28 headliner.

Lee (18-6 MMA, 11-6 UFC) put up a strong effort for more than two rounds in the lightweight headliner at Ginasio Nilson Nelson in Brasilia, Brazil, but he slipped up in the third when he positioned his head poorly on a takedown attempt and allowed Oliveira (29-8 MMA, 17-8 UFC) to lock in a fight-ending guillotine choke.

The loss dropped “The Motown Phenom” to 1-1 since he returned to 155 pounds this past November, and the setback was a major blow given he hoped to make big moves in the weight class this year.

What does the loss mean for Lee? Watch the video above for thoughts and analysis on his future, and why a clash with the loser of the UFC 249 bout between [autotag]Islam Makhachev[/autotag] (18-1 MMA, 7-1 UFC) and [autotag]Alexander Hernandez[/autotag] (11-2 MMA, 3-1 UFC) would be a good fit for his next opponent.

[vertical-gallery id=500013]

Islam Makhachev happy with Alexander Hernandez but dreams of fighting Kevin Lee

Islam Makhachev finally got a ranked opponent, but it’s not exactly who he wanted.

LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Islam Makhachev[/autotag] finally got a ranked opponent, but it’s not exactly who he wanted.

After calling out numerous names in the top-15 of the lightweight division, Makhachev (18-1 MMA, 7-1 UFC) drew Alexander Hernandez at UFC 249 on April 18.

“I’m happy they gave me an opponent because now I have a little bit of a problem, like to find an opponent, because last two years I asked about somebody like from top-15, but they just give me No. 15, but I’m happy,” Makhachev told MMA Junkie this past Saturday at a media day for Dominance MMA. “Hernandez is a good fighter. It’s going to be a good fight because he has good striking, good conditioning, good wrestling – like same to my style. It’s going to be a good fight.”

[lawrence-related id=497115,483291]

Many of Makhachev’s callouts were either ignored or answered with stipulations, leaving him in a quandary. But one fighter that was willing to face him no matter what the circumstances were was [autotag]Kevin Lee[/autotag].

The two verbally agreed, going back and forth on numerous occasions, however, the UFC was not on board. Instead, Lee will face Charles Oliveira this Saturday at UFC on ESPN+ 28 in Brasilia.

Makhachev is still holding onto the hope of someday facing Lee.

“Yeah, but I ask about Al Iaquinta, Paul Felder and other guys from the top 10,” Makhachev said. “Last time, I ask about Iaquinta, he gave me an answer saying, ‘I want to fight with you in Moscow,’ but Moscow doesn’t have an event. How he wants to fight in Moscow? Nobody wants to give me an answer, but my dream is to fight with Kevin Lee. I tell everybody it doesn’t matter where, it doesn’t matter, like anytime, anywhere, I’m going to fight with this guy. This is my dream.”

[vertical-gallery id=439882]

Alexander Hernandez vs. Islam Makhachev in works for UFC 249 in Brooklyn

A lightweight clash between Alexander Hernandez and Islam Makhachev is the latest addition to UFC 249.

The UFC 249 lineup keeps on growing.

A key lightweight battle is in the works for the card, as UFC-ranked lightweights [autotag]Alexander Hernandez[/autotag] and [autotag]Islam Makhachev[/autotag] have verbally agreed to compete at the event.

Two people with knowledge of the situation informed MMA Junkie of the booking, but asked to remain anonymous as the promotion has yet to make an official announcement. Bout agreements have yet to be finalized.

UFC 249 takes place April 18 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN2 and ESPN+/UFC Fight Pass.

A polarizing figure, Hernandez (11-2 MMA, 3-1 UFC) has had more ups than downs in the UFC. After bursting onto the scene with a brutal 42-second knockout of Beneil Dariush in March 2018, Hernandez then won his sophomore outing against Olivier Aubin-Mercier.

The back-to-back victories set him up for a fight with Donald Cerrone in January 2019. Garnering much attention due his fight-week trash talk, Hernandez was TKO’d by Cerrone in Round 2. In his most recent outing in July 2019, Hernandez defeated Francisco Trinaldo by unanimous decision.

As for Makhachev (18-1 MMA, 7-1 UFC), the Russian lightweight will share a card with training partner and UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov. Undefeated since early 2016, Makhachev has dominated almost every foe put in his path.

In his most recent outing at UFC 242 in September, Makhachev defeated highly-touted grappler Davi Ramos by three-round unanimous decision. Makhachev has been looking to compete since the victory, but according to his coach Javier Mendez, there weren’t many willing opponents. Now, Makhachev has finally found one.

The latest UFC 249 card now includes:

  • Champ Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Tony Ferguson – for lightweight title
  • Uriah Hall vs. Ronaldo Souza
  • Jessica Andrade vs. Rose Namajunas
  • Ben Rothwell vs. Gian Villante
  • Calvin Kattar vs. Jeremy Stephens
  • Ottman Azaitar vs. Khama Worthy
  • Sijara Eubanks vs. Sarah Moras
  • Shamil Abdurakhimov vs. Ciryl Gane
  • Makhmud Muradov vs. Karl Roberson
  • Lyman Good vs. Belal Muhammad
  • Hunter Azure vs. Umar Nurmagomedov
  • Alexander Hernandez vs. Islam Makhachev

[vertical-gallery id=376004]

[vertical-gallery id=439882]

UFC 249: Islam Makhachev takes a more humorous approach in callout of Al Iaquinta

After Islam Makhachev called Al Iaquinta out on Twitter, he decided to take a more humorous approach, as part of his callout pitch.

[autotag]Islam Makhachev[/autotag] has now diverted his attention to [autotag]Al Iaquinta[/autotag].

Makhachev (18-1 MMA, 7-1 UFC) was in UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov’s corner at UFC 223 in Brooklyn, when he faced Iaquinta for the vacant UFC 155-pound title in 2018.

Nurmagomedov would defeat Iaquinta (14-6-1 MMA, 9-5 UFC) via unanimous decision, and Makhachev was there to show his respect to Iaquinta for his efforts by wiping the blood off of his face.

And after Makhachev called Iaquinta out on Twitter, he decided to take a more humorous approach, as part of his callout pitch.

“I want to take care of you like I did last time at Barclays center.
I’m waiting for your answer #ufc249”

 

Rumors swirled about a potential matchup between Makhachev and Gregor Gillespie at UFC 249 but that matchup has not come to fruiton.

So after expressing interest in facing Dan Hooker, Paul Felder, Kevin Lee, and Gillespie, Makhachev has now called out Iaquinta for UFC 249, in hopes to join his training partner, and the night’s headliner, Nurmagomedov.

Iaquinta was quick to respond, but once again, the offer is for a showdown in Russia.

“NY vs Dagestan gangster. I’m in for Moscow for the great fans of Russia”

Makhachev hasn’t competed since his unanimous decision win over Davi Ramos at UFC 242 in September. He has struggled to find an opponent ever since, calling out the majority of the lightweight division’s top 15.

[vertical-gallery id=439882]

Coach Javier Mendez says ‘nobody wants to fight’ Islam Makhachev, understands why

Who wants to step in the octagon with Islam Makhachev?

Javier Mendez hopes [autotag]Islam Makhachev[/autotag] can join Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 249, but he admits it’s been tough ask.

Makhachev (18-1 MMA, 7-1 UFC) has been struggling to get a fight lately and has called out many of the top 15 UFC lightweights, but to no avail, and the one top-ranked lightweight willing to fight him, Kevin Lee, is a matchup that, Mendez said, the UFC is not on board with.

“Well, the UFC is the one that’s avoiding that one,” Mendez told MMA Junkie. “I think they’re trying to wait for those guys at a bigger stage, but at the present time, the guys that are higher level, that are available, are not wanting to go bat up with Islam. To be honest with you, I probably don’t blame them, and the other ones that would fight him (are) in a conflict or injury or whatever, but it’s tough right now. I was told from his manager that they’re trying to get him matched, but they’re having a tough time with him because where do you put him?”

[lawrence-related id=482863,480175]

Makhachev is on a six-fight winning streak and on the cusp of reaching 155-pound contention. However, he has hit a brick wall in his attempts to land a fight with the sort of opponent who could propel him there. Mendez admitted he understands why most fighters don’t want to face him, though.

“He’s that good. Do you risk it for him because he’s not as ranked as he should be?” Mendez said. “He should be ranked in the top 10 or under by far, but he’s not, so what do you do with him? He’s that dangerous.

“Personally, if I had to fight him, I’d probably say wait until he gets a bigger name then we’ll fight him. Islam is having a hell of a time getting opponents because nobody wants to fight him.”

[vertical-gallery id=439882]