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Leon Edwards’ Coach Dismisses Makhachev’s Chances In Potential Super Fight: ‘Islam Is Not Known For His Striking…’

Leon Edwards has outlined his hopes of trying to become a two-weight world champion if he’s able to keep hold of the welterweight title this Saturday at UFC 304. His third title defense comes in Manchester against Belal Muhammad but whilst “Rocky” has plans to go up, the champion at the weight class below may […]

Continue Reading Leon Edwards’ Coach Dismisses Makhachev’s Chances In Potential Super Fight: ‘Islam Is Not Known For His Striking…’ at MMA News.

Leon Edwards has outlined his hopes of trying to become a two-weight world champion if he’s able to keep hold of the welterweight title this Saturday at UFC 304.

His third title defense comes in Manchester against Belal Muhammad but whilst “Rocky” has plans to go up, the champion at the weight class below may have something to say about that.

Lightweight king Islam Makhachev also wants a shot at champ-champ status in the near future and Edwards has been open to that idea in the past.

Despite Makhachev being considered by many to be the most in-form fighter in the world right now, the welterweight champion’s coach believes that he isn’t a big threat to Edwards’ title.

Dave Lovell Questions If Islam Makhachev Would Be Able To Cause Leon Edwards Problems

During an interview with Submission Radio, Team Renegade’s Dave Lovell spoke about how he sees a fight between Makhachev and his fighter playing out.

Lovell doesn’t believe that the lightweight champion is a major concern to Edwards for a few different reasons.

As he points out, “Rocky” is very used to fighting the top grapplers in his weight class at this point and has proven to be very effective against them.

With Makhachev moving up in weight there will be a clear size difference between the two men and that gives Lovell confidence that “Rocky” would be too big and too skilled should the fight ever happen.

“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 sharp shooter like Leon? No he hasn’t. 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. So, Islam is not known for his striking. They’re known for their wrestling and basically, Leon’s improving, people don’t understand.”

Read More: Jon Jones Told He ‘Cannot Do Anything But Acknowledge That Victory’ If Tom Aspinall Defeats Curtis Blaydes At UFC 304

Continue Reading Leon Edwards’ Coach Dismisses Makhachev’s Chances In Potential Super Fight: ‘Islam Is Not Known For His Striking…’ at MMA News.

Arman Tsarukyan will film anti-bullying video as part of NSAC suspension deal, plans to fight at UFC 308

Arman Tsarukyan to film anti-bullying video, expects to fight Islam Makhachev at UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi Arman Tsarukyan isn’t letting anything get in the way of his first UFC title opportunity — including a suspension…

Arman Tsarukyan isn’t letting anything get in the way of his first UFC title opportunity — including a suspension from the Nevada State Athletic Commission.

After taking a swing at a fan during his walkout at UFC 300, ‘Ahalkalakets’ was suspended for nine months, putting him on the shelf for the rest of 2024 and killing any chance of him challenging for the lightweight title before the year’s up. However, the NSAC is willing to shave down the sentence to six months if Tsarukyan participates in an anti-bullying public service announcement.

Doing so will allow him to return in October, just in time to challenge Islam Makhachev on October 26 when the UFC heads back to Abu Dhabi.

“I will shoot that anti-bullying video at the beginning of August, and my suspension ends on [October] 13th,” Tsarukyan said in an interview with Sport 24. “I just need to make that video, then hopefully I’m going to fight at the end of October or early November.”

“I have to do [the video] to help my career,” he added. “And it doesn’t bother me, it will only do good for my career. And actually, it doesn’t make any sense to put your hands on someone and waste your energy when you are walking out for an actual fight. The problem is I’m a hot-tempered guy. I’m either very kind or very angry and never a happy medium. Even when I train, it’s either light work or full contact … That’s my nature.”

Arman Tsarukyan has a verbal agreement to fight for the lightweight title

Makhachev’s last appearance inside the Octagon came against Dustin Poirier in June. the ‘Dagestani Destroyer’ secured his third lightweight title defense, earning a fifth-round submission over ‘The Diamond’ in Newark, New Jersey.

Though Tsarukyan is clearly the next man in line, Makhachev appeared to be far more interested in a potential champion vs. champion clash with welterweight titleholder Leon Edwards.

Asked if he has any concerns over the UFC books that fight instead of giving him his long-awaited rematch with Makhachev, Tsarukyan dismissed that possibility revealing that he already has a verbal agreement in place.

“No they won’t, because we have a verbal agreement that I’m fighting for the title,” he said. “I don’t know if Islam was told that, but they told me I’m next in line.

“To be honest, I don’t care if he moves up a weight class,” Tsarukyan added. “Just give me the interim title then, or let him vacate the title. And I’ll fight him for it. It’s not about fighting Islam. I just need to become the champion.”

Tsarukyan made his UFC debut against Makhachev in April 2019, coming up short via unanimous decision. Since then, ‘Ahalkalakets’ has gone 8-1 and sits as the No. 1 ranked contender in the division following his impressive showing against ex-champion Charles Oliveira.

Photo – UFC star Islam Makhachev spotted wearing arm brace while attending EURO 2024 final

UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev was spotted with a brace on his wrist. Makhachev was in attendance for the…

UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev was spotted with a brace on his wrist.

Makhachev was in attendance for the Euro 2024 final between England and Spain and was in a box with James Cordon and Harry Styles among others. However, the noticeable thing about the photo was the fact that Islam Makhachev had a brace on his wrist, which would imply the champ was dealing with an injury.

Islam Makhachev sitting next to James Corden and Harry Styles is the strangest crossover ever pic.twitter.com/cdpkt1Pi2r

— OOC MMA (@oocmma) July 15, 2024

What type of injury or how serious it is, is uncertain, but the hope for many fans it isn’t serious and he can fight again this year. Makhachev nor his team have commented on the photo or the potential injury he is dealing with.

Islam Makhachev Wants Second Belt

Islam Makhachev is coming off a fifth-round submission win over Dustin Poirier to defend his title for the third time.

After the win over Poirier, Makhachev said he wants the opportunity to go up to welterweight and fight for a second belt to try and become a champ-champ.

“I don’t follow the [people who say I] beat some record or something like this. If you want a great legacy, you have to get second belt. It’s my opinion,” Makhachev said at the UFC 302 post-fight press conference (via MMAFighting). “Who doesn’t want to be double champion? This is history. How many double champs [do] we have? This is a dream for all fighters to get [a] second belt. This is my dream.”

Islam Makhachev turns down fight with Michael Chandler you are unreliable dude

Whether or not Makhachev will get a chance to fight for the welterweight title is uncertain, but he also isn’t ruling out the rematch with Arman Tsarukyan.

“Dana has my number. Just call me and put some new challenge [in front of me],” Makhachev said. “It [doesn’t] make sense when you have rematch, I need some new challenge. But if Dana wants [the Tsarukyan rematch], let’s do it. No problem.”

Makhachev is 26-1 as a pro and is on a 14 fight winning streak.

Arman Tsarukyan plans to train with Khamzat Chimaev for Islam Makhachev title fight: ‘His build is similar’

Surging lightweight contender, Arman Tsarukyan has revealed he plans to work with unbeaten middleweight challenger, Khamzat Chimaev as he…

Surging lightweight contender, Arman Tsarukyan has revealed he plans to work with unbeaten middleweight challenger, Khamzat Chimaev as he prepares for an expected title rematch with Islam Makhachev later this year in October.

Tsarukyan, who currently holds the number one rank at 155lbs, has been sidelined since he earned the top spot in the division back in April, taking home a close split decision win over former champion, Charles Oliveira in the pair’s championship eliminator at UFC 300.

And expecting to take on current pound-for-pound kingpin, Makhachev in a title rematch at UFC 308 in a return to Abu Dhabi, UAE – Tsarukyan faces a race against time to make the event after he was hit with a suspension from the Nevada State Athletic Commission for his part in a pre-fight brawl with a fan before his above-mentioned fight with Oliveira.

Arman Tsarukyan plans to train with Khamzat Chimaev for UFC 308

However, still hoping to face the Russian star in a title rematch, Armenian contender, Tsarukyan confirmed he would like the chance to train alongside the above-mentioned, Chimaev for his fight for gold, with the Chechen contender also targeting a return to the Octagon that same card at the Ethad Arena.

“Of course, why not?” Arman Tsarukyan told Sport24 when asked about the chance to train with Khamzat Chimaev. “Khamzat fights well and will test his strength. To be honest, he is there, and if there’s an opportunity to train with him, it would be good. SInce he is tall and can work in a left-handed stance, I will ask him to train with me. In general, his build is similar to Islam’s (Makhachev).”

Arman Tsarukyan plans to train with Khamzat Chimaev for Islam Makhachev title fight: ‘His build is similar’

Surging lightweight contender, Arman Tsarukyan has revealed he plans to work with unbeaten middleweight challenger, Khamzat Chimaev as he…

Arman Tsarukyan plans to train with Khamzat Chimaev for UFC 308

Leon Edwards open to super fight with Islam Makhachev after UFC 304: ‘I can see that happening’

Ahead of his return at the end of the month in the main event of UFC 304, incumbent welterweight…

Ahead of his return at the end of the month in the main event of UFC 304, incumbent welterweight champion, Leon Edwards has welcomed a potential super fight against current lightweight kingpin, Islam Makhachev, claiming he can definitely forsee a pairing between himself and the Russian soon.

Edwards, the current undisputed welterweight champion, returns this month in Manchester, headlining UFC 304 in a rematch against his fellow surging star, Belal Muhammad in a re-run of their official ‘No Contest’ showdown back in 2020.

Sidelined since last December, Birmingham native, Edwards most recently racked up his second successful defense of the 170lbs championship, turning in a one-sided unanimous decision shutout win over former interim gold holder, Colby Covington.

Leon Edwards welcomes super fight with Islam Makhachev after UFC 304

And forever linked with a super fight against current pound-for-pound lightweight champion, Makhachev for his own welterweight crown, Edwards admitted that while both himself and the 155lbs kingpin has some more work to do, they will likely meet down the line.

“For sure, for sure,” Leon Edwards said of a title fight with Islam Makhachev during an interview with talkSPORT. “I feel like we’ve both got work to do within our division… We’re both on similar paths so I can see that happening in the future. I would like to move up as well, and challenge for the middleweight belt.”

Earlier this week to boot, Team Renegade MMA & BJJ mainstay, Edwards received a call out from former foe, Nate Diaz – who welcomed the chance to take on his past rival in a welterweight championship rematch, off the back of his own boxing win over Jorge Masvidal.

Who would win in a future title super fight: Leon Edwards or Islam Makhachev?