Tag: Islam Makhachev

Daniel Cormier Pushes Back On Interim Title Talk Amid Islam Makhachev Injury: ‘He’s Fought Twice Very Recently!’ 

Former two-division UFC champion Daniel Cormier doesn’t think the idea of an interim lightweight title should be entertained while Islam Makhachev recovers. Makhachev cemented his grip on the crown earlier this summer when he put a stop to the late-career title ambitions of fan favorite Dustin Poirier at the UFC 302 pay-per-view in Newark. But […]

Continue Reading Daniel Cormier Pushes Back On Interim Title Talk Amid Islam Makhachev Injury: ‘He’s Fought Twice Very Recently!’  at MMA News.

Former two-division UFC champion Daniel Cormier doesn’t think the idea of an interim lightweight title should be entertained while Islam Makhachev recovers.

Makhachev cemented his grip on the crown earlier this summer when he put a stop to the late-career title ambitions of fan favorite Dustin Poirier at the UFC 302 pay-per-view in Newark.

But the Dagestani may need to wait until 2025 before adding the name of another top contender at 155 pounds to his reign’s list of victims. While he was originally expected to defend the belt in a rematch with Arman Tsarukyan this October in Abu Dhabi, an injury has scuppered those plans.

According to the challenger, either December or early 2025 are the two estimates for the champ’s return. And should the latter of those come to fruition, the Russian-Armenian is open to competing for an interim title in the meantime.

That suggestion, however, has not gone down well with one former fighter-turned-color commentator…

Cormier On Tsarukyan’s Interim Title Proposal: ‘Why Are We Creating Belts?!’

During the latest episode of his Good Guy / Bad Guy show alongside Chael Sonnen on ESPN MMA’s YouTube channel, Cormier reacted to confirmation that injury will keep Makhachev out of UFC 308 this fall.

After revealing a conversation in which Makhachev told him that recovery won’t take too long, Cormier rejected suggestions that an interim champ should be crowned in the Dagestani’s brief absence.

Cormier pointed to Makhachev’s recent activity to push back on the interim title talk.

“You get hurt, at times. Islam Makhachev has been active. He fought in October in Abu Dhabi against Alexander Volkanovski. He fought in (June) in Newark…fought Dustin Poirier,” Cormier said. “He’s fought twice very recently. If he was to fight in October, it would have been three fights in a calendar year.

“There is no need for an interim championship. Chael, when in the world did we start to speak titles into existence?” Cormier continued. “Could you imagine, Chael, if when you were chasing down Anderson Silva and you go, ‘Well I’ll fight for an interim title if he ain’t ready in six months!’ … Who does Tsarukyan fight for the interim championship? It’s like, why are we creating belts, or trying (to)? … It just doesn’t need to be.”

In terms of the “who” aspect of Cormier’s remarks, Tsarukyan name-dropped Poirier, Justin Gaethje, and Michael Chandler as potential options for an interim title showdown in the coming months.

It remains to be seen whether the UFC will fall on Tsarukyan or Cormier’s side. Should the promotion avoid an additional belt, the top lightweight contender would also appear content waiting a little longer for his first opportunity at achieving champ status on MMA’s biggest stage.

Continue Reading Daniel Cormier Pushes Back On Interim Title Talk Amid Islam Makhachev Injury: ‘He’s Fought Twice Very Recently!’  at MMA News.

Tsarukyan targets interim title bout with Islam Makhachev out: ‘Poirier, Gaethje, Chandler – doesn’t matter’

Tsarukyan Targets Interim Title Bout with Islam Makhachev Out: 'Poirier, Gaethje, Chandler – Doesn't MatterSurging lightweight title challenger, Arman Tsarukyan still has plans to compete for a title in his next outing –…

Tsarukyan Targets Interim Title Bout with Islam Makhachev Out: 'Poirier, Gaethje, Chandler – Doesn't Matter

Surging lightweight title challenger, Arman Tsarukyan still has plans to compete for a title in his next outing – albeit interim, with current undisputed champion, Islam Makhachev sidelined through an unspecified arm injury ahead of a targeted October matchup.

Tsarukyan, the current number one ranked lightweight challenger, earned his planned rematch fight against current pound-for-pound number one, Islam Makhachev back in April at UFC 300, taking out Charles Oliveira in a title-eliminator clash.

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Besting the Brazilian over the course of three rounds in a controversial split decision win, Armenia native, Tsarukyan was expected to take on the above-mentioned, Islam Makhachev at UFC 308 in October, until the latter was ruled out amid an arm injury.

Coach backs Islam Makhachev to make huge middleweight move: 'He's that good'

In his place comes an undisputed featherweight title fight as the unbeaten, Ilia Topuria takes on former gold holder, Max Holloway in the pair’s grudge fight in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

Arman Tsarukyan welcomes fights other than Islam Makhachev

However, amid claims from most recent title challenger, Dustin Poirier how he would take on his American Top Team stablemate, Tsarukyan in an interim championship fight, Tsarukyan has welcomed the chance to fight a host of contenders for interim spoils next.

Arman Tsarukyan hit with nine month suspension by NSAC for altercation with fan at UFC 300
Mandatory Credit: Chris Unger – Zuffa LLC

“If Islam (Makhachev) can’t fight this year, for sure, I would like to fight for the interim title,” Arman Tsarukyan told Submission Radio. “Doesn’t matter who is gonna be in front of me. Dustin Poirier is a soldi fighter and he has a lot of experience. Yeah, it would be great. Dustin, (Justin) Gaethje, Michael Chandler as well. But, my focus [is] on Islam.”

Unbeaten in his last four straight fights, prior to his split judging win over Sao Paulo finisher, Oliveira – Tsarukyan had stopped perennial contender, Beneil Dariush with a stunning first round knockout in his sophomore headliner with the promotion back in December at UFC Fight Night Austin. 

Islam Makhachev’s Coach Discusses Potential Middleweight Title Fight Against Du Plessis & Adesanya

Islam Makhachev will have been happy to see Belal Muhammad become the welterweight champion at UFC 304 after the training they have done together in the past. However, there is a sense that this result messed with the future plans of the lightweight champion. Had Leon Edwards defeated Muhammad and secured his third title defense, […]

Continue Reading Islam Makhachev’s Coach Discusses Potential Middleweight Title Fight Against Du Plessis & Adesanya at MMA News.

Islam Makhachev will have been happy to see Belal Muhammad become the welterweight champion at UFC 304 after the training they have done together in the past.

However, there is a sense that this result messed with the future plans of the lightweight champion.

Had Leon Edwards defeated Muhammad and secured his third title defense, Makhachev would have been high on the list of his potential challengers having laid out his ambition to become a two-weight world champion in the near future.

He now finds himself in a similar situation as to the one Kamaru Usman had during his welterweight title reign where he wanted a second belt but a friend of his, Israel Adesanya in Usman’s case, is the champion of the weight class above.

Just like how Usman briefly flirted with the idea of skipping over Adesanya’s division to jump up two weight classes instead, Makhachev has mentioned competing at middleweight.

Javier Mendez Gives His Take On Islam Makhachev Fighting At Middleweight

Though the idea was brushed off by the current middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis, maybe there is a future where Makhachev moves from 155 to 185.

He still has contenders to face in his own division and is set to be out for a bit longer due to a recently disclosed hand injury but the lightweight king has big ambitions.

In an interview with Submission Radio, his coach Javier Mendez spoke about what this would mean for Makhachev, revealing that whilst nothing serious has taken place, they have spoken about the idea.

“Islam said that middleweight would be kind of something but he’d have to put on some muscle so this is not just me, this is Islam thinking the same thing that yeah if it did ever come through, so it’s really not ideally something that we’re really looking at but it was something that was discussed but he’d have to put on some size if that was ever to happen.”

Mendez went on to say that whilst it would obviously be a tough and unheard of task to accomplish, he can understand why Makhachev would want to do it because it would define his legacy.

“If he was able to pull something like that off, if that ever was materialized and he did pull it off, that would put him in the top three pound-for-pound of all time.”

Read also: Belal Muhammad: There’s ‘Turmoil’ Between Leon Edwards & Coach After UFC 304 Loss

Continue Reading Islam Makhachev’s Coach Discusses Potential Middleweight Title Fight Against Du Plessis & Adesanya at MMA News.

Dricus du Plessis laughs off Islam Makahchev middleweight threat: ‘Everybody can dream’

Dricus du Plessis laughs off Islam Makahchev middleweight threat: 'Everybody can dream'Ahead of his own return at UFC 305 later this month, undisputed middleweight champion, Dricus du Plessis has laughed…

Dricus du Plessis laughs off Islam Makahchev middleweight threat: 'Everybody can dream'

Ahead of his own return at UFC 305 later this month, undisputed middleweight champion, Dricus du Plessis has laughed off a potential move to his stomping ground for lightweight best, Islam Makhachev – claiming the Russian is entitled to “dream” like everybody else.

du Plessis, the current undisputed middleweight champion, headlines UFC 305 next weekend in Perth, Australia – taking on the returning former two-time titleholder, Israel Adesanya in his first defense of the divisional crown.

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Winning gold back in January at UFC 297, promotional-perfect star, du Plessis turned in a controversial spiit decision win over Sean Strickland, minting himself as the undisputed middleweight champion. 

Dricus du Plessis claims Islam Makhachev is dreaming too big

And ahead of his return against Adesanya in his first championship setting, du Plessis has laughed off prior claims from Makhachev’s head coach, Javier Mendez how his student is good enough to excel as high as middleweight.

Coach backs Islam Makhachev to make huge middleweight move: 'He's that good'

“Everybody can dream, right?” Dricus du Plessis told Kevin Iole. “I always say, never cap your dreams. Dream big, but he’s (Islam Makhachev) dreaming real big. I’m very big. Of course, in this sport, everybody wants that. Especially after it’s been done. I completely understand going up to another division and fighting for another belt because here comes a stage where it makes sense and Makhachev right now, there’s people still left to fight. …”

During his run through middleweight contenders, du Plessis became the first fighter other than incoming foe, Adesanya to defeat former gold holder, Robert Whittaker – stopping the ex-champion with a stunning knockout win in their title eliminator in the summer of last year. 

du plessis ufc 305

Prior to that, the Pretoria native stopped former welterweight title chaser, Darren Till with a third round neck crank in their high-profile pairing the December prior. 

Would Dricus du Plessis vs. Islam Makhachev be a competitive fight?

Javier Mendez: UFC can’t dictate Conor McGregor’s fights, but Islam Makhachev makes sense

Javier Mendez: UFC can't dictate Conor McGregor's fights, but Islam Makhachev makes senseHoping to secure his student, Islam Makhachev a high-profile showdown with arch-rival, Conor McGregor, head coach, Javier Mendez insists…

Javier Mendez: UFC can't dictate Conor McGregor's fights, but Islam Makhachev makes sense

Hoping to secure his student, Islam Makhachev a high-profile showdown with arch-rival, Conor McGregor, head coach, Javier Mendez insists that while the UFC can’t dictate – he would like to see the Russian land a huge fight with the polarizing star next.

Makhachev, the current undisputed lightweight champion, and pound-for-pound number one ranked fighter in the promotion, has been sidelined since he racked up his third consecutive successful title fight defense at UFC 302 back in May.

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Submitting common-foe, Dustin Poirier with a fifth round D’Arce choke win, Islam Makhachev was expected to take on Arman Tsarukyan in a title fight rematch at UFC 308 at the end of October, however, has been ruled out until potentially next year as he deals with an unspecified arm injury setback. 

In his place comes an undisputed featherweight title fight in Abu Dhabi, as the undefeated, Ilia Topuria takes on former titleholder, Max Holloway – fresh from his stunning symbolic BMF title fight win over Justin Gaethje at UFC 300.

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Islam Makhachev backed to fight Conor McGregor in the future

And while Makhachev is still expected to take on Armenian contender, Tsarukyan in a rematch next, the former’s head coach thinks a fight with McGregor should firmly be on the table for him.

makhachev ufc abu dhabi

“That’s a possibility with Islam (Makhachev) and Conor (McGregor), but let’s face it, Conor dictates who he fights, I mean, anybody that thinks otherwise, the UFC doesn’t dictates who Conor fights,” Javier Mendez told Red Corner MMA. “Conor dictates who he fights. UFC may offer but if Conor says no it’s no.”

“Let’s be fair with each other, I don’t like him but he’s the biggest draw in the business, the records show it and I would love to watch him get beat so yeah, I’m going to pay if he fights Islam, for sure I’ll be in the corner,” Mendez continued.

Would you like to see Islam Makhachev fight Conor McGregor in the future? 

Islam Makhachev loves watching Dustin Poirier knock out Conor McGregor

Islam Makhachev loves watching Dustin Poirier knock out Conor McGregorWhilst he’s currently nursing an arm injury, undisputed lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev could not help himself but poke fun…

Islam Makhachev loves watching Dustin Poirier knock out Conor McGregor

Whilst he’s currently nursing an arm injury, undisputed lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev could not help himself but poke fun at arch-rival, Conor McGregor – explaining how he loves to watch the Dubliner in his 2021 knockout loss to common-opponent, Dustin Poirier.

Makhachev, the current lightweight champion and pound-for-pound number one ranked fighter, most recently headlined UFC 302 back in May, landing a fifth round D’Arce choke submission win over the above-mentioned, Poirier to successfully defend his title for a third time consecutively.

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As for McGregor, the former two-weight champion has yet to return to action since he fractured his left tibia and fibula in a doctor’s stoppage TKO loss to Poirier three years ago.

Booked to headline UFC 303 at the end of June, McGregor withdrew from a scheduled fight with Michael Chandler – citing a fractured toe on his left foot ahead of his hiatus-snapping comeback fight.

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Islam Makhachev mocks Conor McGregor ‘s 2021 knockout loss

And mocking the Dubliner’s sidelining from action – Makhachev posted footage of McGregor suffering his first knockout loss in mixed martial arts over three years ago in his rematch fight with Poirier in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

Sharing a distinct rivalry with the Dubliner, Islam Makhachev has been tipped as a potential future opponent to the ex-two-weight champion by his own coach, Javier Mendez earlier this year to boot. 

“Conor (McGregor) starts and goes on a rank, starting to create drama with Islam (Makhachev),” Javier Mendez said. “Which is kind of good because Conor’s the kind of guy you want to root against or root for. Regardless, everybody wants to see him, Me, I want to see him get beat by Islam.”

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“So, for me, him doing what he’s doing is causing a lot of attention so there wouldn’t be nothing better for me and Khabib (Nurmagomedov) than to have Islam have a fight with him somewhere down the line,” Mendez explained. “He brought that staph [infection] up, which is very observant on his part, to be honest with you. The only thing is that he observed it way too late. At the time he mentioned it, it was already three weeks past.” 

What are your thoughts on a future Islam Makhachev x Conor McGregor fight?