Tag: Islam Makhachev

Makhachev Revisits & Explains Khabib’s UFC 229 Post-Fight Meltdown

UFC lightweight contender Islam Makhachev has looked back on the post-fight brawl between his teammate Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor’s corner at UFC 229.

The 2018 pay-per-view certainly delivered on the bad blood between McGregor and …

Islam Makhachev, Khabib Nurmagomedov

UFC lightweight contender Islam Makhachev has looked back on the post-fight brawl between his teammate Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor’s corner at UFC 229.

The 2018 pay-per-view certainly delivered on the bad blood between McGregor and Khabib. Unfortunately, it did so more than we could ever have imagined or desired. What started as one of the most anticipated headliners in MMA history, quickly deteriorated into its biggest blemish, an out-of-control brawl inside and outside the Octagon.

In front of a sold-out crowd in Las Vegas’s T-Mobile Arena, “The Eagle” defended his UFC Lightweight title for the first time. He did so by way of a fourth-round neck crank submission. However, McGregor’s pre-fight trash talk had gotten out of hand, with the Irishman constantly attacking the Dagestani’s family, religion, and country. With that in mind, the action unsurprisingly didn’t end once the fight was stopped.

Makhachev Says Khabib Was “Pushed To The Limit”

While Khabib jumped the cage to attack McGregor’s teammate Dillon Danis, members of the champion’s team scampered around the cage to get involved, with some even entering it to get their hands on McGregor. Along with Zubaira Tukhugov and Asadulla Emirgaev, current top-five UFC lightweight Islam Makhachev was one of the individuals involved in the skirmish.

Now, speaking at the UFC 267 post-fight press conference, the 30-year-old has revisited the incident. Discussing what made Khabib react the way he did after defeating his bitter rival, Makhachev suggested McGregor crossed the line prior to the fight. With the constant verbal attack on close areas of his life, Makhachev believes the former UFC lightweight champion was simply overwhelmed with emotion.

“There is a limit to everything. If somebody crosses that line, you can’t control yourself anymore. In that moment, he was pushed to the limit, he was overwhelmed by emotions and suddenly saw the man talking all that crap, and… He just could not hold himself. Anybody, not just me or Khabib. The thing is, we are not faking stuff or trash talking. We do not play games. If we seem to not like somebody, we do not like him for real.” (h/t Sportskeeda)

Despite Dana White’s threats to suspend and remove those involved from the roster, Khabib’s promise to walk away from the UFC should that happen kept his teammates in the promotion. Now over three years later, both Makhachev and Tukhugov were successful at UFC 267 last month.

Do you agree with Islam Makhachev? Did Conor McGregor cross the line with his pre-fight trash talk?

Continue Reading Makhachev Revisits & Explains Khabib’s UFC 229 Post-Fight Meltdown at MMA News.

Islam Makhachev vs. Beneil Dariush Agreed For February 26

islam makhachevIt was recently announced that UFC lightweights Islam Makhachev and Beneil Dariush have agreed to fight in a five-round, main event on a UFC Fight Night, February 26th. ESPN reporter Brett Okamoto took to social media to break the news of what appears to be a number one contender fight. The Background Of Islam Makhachev […]

islam makhachev

It was recently announced that UFC lightweights Islam Makhachev and Beneil Dariush have agreed to fight in a five-round, main event on a UFC Fight Night, February 26th.

ESPN reporter Brett Okamoto took to social media to break the news of what appears to be a number one contender fight.

The Background Of Islam Makhachev v Beneil Dariush

The fight will pit number three ranked Dariush and number four Makachev in which the winner will have a strong argument for a title shot after front runner Justin Gaethje.

Both fighters will be coming into this on impressive winning streaks, Dariush is currently riding a seven-fight win streak; with wins over the likes of Tony Ferguson, Drew Dober and Thiago Moises. While Makachev will be coming in with a nine-fight win streak with wins over Gleison Tibau, Drew Dober and Dan Hooker.

Although both men have had success in the build-up, there is a disparity in top-level experience. Dariush has been competing with the likes of Jim Miller since 2015. Although Dariush has had some losses, these have been against the likes of Edson Barboza. He also has other impressive names on his record such as Michael Johnson and James Vick and has seemed to have really found his footing as of late.

Makhachev on the other has only begun to face ranked opponents in 2021 and finds himself in the number four in the world but he has not beaten a top-five ranked opponent. Although Makhachev has not faced the highest level of competition for a long time he has been dominant since the first loss of his career. This was on display when he faced at the time number six ranked Dan Hooker, taking down and submitting the New Zealander in the first round.

What do you think? How do you see Islam Makhachev v Beneil Dariush going?

Bobby Green Replaces Beneil Dariush To Face Makhachev Feb. 26

Bobby Green will be replacing Beneil Dariush to face Islam Makhachev in the new UFC Fight Night main event on February 26. Ariel Helwani was the first to break the news of Dariush pulling out of the fight. Dariush is citing an ankle injury as the reason for his withdrawal. Hours later, ESPN confirmed that…

Continue Reading Bobby Green Replaces Beneil Dariush To Face Makhachev Feb. 26 at MMA News.

Bobby Green will be replacing Beneil Dariush to face Islam Makhachev in the new UFC Fight Night main event on February 26.

Ariel Helwani was the first to break the news of Dariush pulling out of the fight. Dariush is citing an ankle injury as the reason for his withdrawal. Hours later, ESPN confirmed that Bobby Green will serve as Dariush’s replacement in what will now be a catchweight bout at 160 lbs.

The Feb. 26 headliner between Makhachev and Dariush was expected by many to serve as a lightweight title eliminator to determine who would challenge champion Charles Oliveira next.

Beneil Dariush has won seven consecutive fights and was considered to be a very challenging stylistic matchup for Makhachev. Dariush has proven that he is more than willing to stand and bang with bonus-worthy performances, but what made this pairing most intriguing is the fact that Dariush is a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and is considered one of the best grapplers in the UFC. Given Makhachev’s grappling-heavy style, this match was considered a strong example of “something’s gotta give.”

Islam Makhachev is currently enjoying an incredible nine-fight winning streak. A win here would have not only made for a 10th straight victory but would have finally included that elusive win over a top-5 opponent that many have demanded of him. During this winning streak, Makhachev has defeated names like Thiago Moisés, Drew Dober, and most recently Dan Hooker.

Scouring the scoring: Round 3 of UFC 265's Bobby Green vs. Rafael Fiziev - Bloody Elbow
Bobby Green

Enter Bobby Green. Green is currently unranked but he has just turned in two exceptional back-to-back performances, including TKOing Al Iaquinta in the first round at UFC 268 and then putting on a striking showcase at the expense of Nasrat Hasparast last weekend at UFC 271.

Coincidentally, the UFC 271 commentating team had lobbied for Bobby Green to be booked in his first UFC main event. Perhaps the MMA gods listened as this idea gained public backing before they granted their own official approval.

While it is unclear if a win for Makhachev would be enough for a title shot, it is certain that a win for Bobby Green here would be career-changing and earn him a strong presence in the lightweight rankings.

Who do you think will win between Islam Makhachev and Bobby Green on February 26?

Continue Reading Bobby Green Replaces Beneil Dariush To Face Makhachev Feb. 26 at MMA News.

Justin Gaethje Plans UFC Title Victory Next Year, Offers Islam Makhachev First Shot

Justin GaethjeFormer interim UFC lightweight champion, Justin Gaethje will conceivably attempt to go one better in his next Octagon walk and achieve undisputed champion status. And with plans in place to once again challenge for promotional gold off the back of a splendid UFC 268 outing — Gaethje has claimed Dominance MMA stablemate, Islam Makhachev can […]

Justin Gaethje

Former interim UFC lightweight champion, Justin Gaethje will conceivably attempt to go one better in his next Octagon walk and achieve undisputed champion status. And with plans in place to once again challenge for promotional gold off the back of a splendid UFC 268 outing — Gaethje has claimed Dominance MMA stablemate, Islam Makhachev can be the first challenge to his throne.

Returning at UFC 268 at the beginning of this month, Gaethje opened the main card against former three-time Bellator MMA lightweight champion, Michael Chandler — likely earning his slot as the next challenger to lightweight spoils with a unanimous decision victory. 

However, firstly, reigning lightweight best, Charles Oliveira is already stated to make his first defense of the lightweight crown on December 11. at UFC 269 — taking on former interim gold holder, Dustin Poirier in a headlining bout.

Off the back of Gaethje’s victory over Sanford MMA staple, Chandler, speculation began to mount regarding the division’s upper echelon contenders, and who could possibly challenge for gold following Poirier.

Gaethje, who currently resides at #2 in the official lightweight pile, sits above both the #3 ranked, Beneil Dariush, and the streaking, #4 rated, abovementioned contender, Makhachev, however, the trio have all been linked to potential lightweight title challenges in their next respective Octagon walks.

Justin Gaethje offers to draw Islam Makhachev in his first lightweight title defense if he wins the crown next year

Arizona native, Gaethje, however, has outlined his firm plans to challenge for lightweight spoils in his next outing, but is willing to offer Makhachev a shot at lightweight gold — as he believes he would dispatch either Oliveira or past-opponent, Poirier. 

“I’ll let him [Islam Makhachev] go first if he gets his spot,” Gaethje told MMA Fighting. “I’ll beat one of these guys [Charles Oliveira or Dustin Poirier] and then I’ll allow him to go first. F*ck yeah, I’m looking forward to that.“

“War is coming,” Gaethje claimed. “He [Islam Makhachev] has to know one thing, f*cking war is coming. So bring it.“

American Kickboxing Academy mainstay, Makhachev has campaigned for a title shot off the back of an impressive trio of submission victories this year, including an arm-triangle win over Drew Dober, a rear-naked choke stoppage of Thiago Moises, and an October kimura stoppage over Dan Hooker at UFC 267. 

Gaethje Title Shot & Makhachev vs. Dariush Are Likely Next Per Manager

According to the manager of all three fighters, the UFC’s plans for Justin Gaethje, Islam Makhachev, and Beneil Dariush may now be revealed.

Following a pair of significant bouts in the lightweight title picture, Islam Makhachev defeating Dan Hooke…

Beneil Dariush, Islam Makhachev, Justin Gaethje

According to the manager of all three fighters, the UFC’s plans for Justin Gaethje, Islam Makhachev, and Beneil Dariush may now be revealed.

Following a pair of significant bouts in the lightweight title picture, Islam Makhachev defeating Dan Hooker at UFC 267 and Justin Gaethje defeating Michael Chandler at UFC 268, there has been much debate and speculation on who will receive the next title shot.

The loudest voice in the room has been Gaethje. The American has insisted that his bout against Chandler was a title eliminator. He also believes that since he is the highest-ranked person in the queue, he deserves the next shot.

Meanwhile, Islam Makhachev and his mentor Khabib Nurmagomedov are among those who have countered Gaethje by reminding him that he has already had an opportunity just one fight ago when Nurmgomadov submitted him at UFC 254. Gaethje responded by ordering Makhachev to ‘do his job’ and fight Beneil Dariush.

Although Makhachev voiced his preference of going to war with Gaethje instead, their manager, Ali Abdelaziz, told TMZ that the current expectation is for Gaethje’s vision of what should happen to align with the UFC’s plans.

“Justin Gaethje is going to be next,” Abdelaziz said. “Probably, Beneil Dariush is going to fight Islam Makhachev. Probably, you are going to see Beneil Dariush fight Islam Makhachev and Justin Gaethje is going to fight for the title probably in May.”

Purely from a rankings perspective, this course of action makes sense. Gaethje is ranked #2, with current #1 contender Dustin Poirier set to challenge champion Charles Oliveira next month at UFC 269. Next, Dariush and Makhachev are ranked #3 and #4 respectively.

Dariush last defeated Tony Ferguson in May at UFC 262 to make for seven consecutive victories. That mark is two shy of Makhachev’s incredible nine-fight winning streak.

MMA News will keep you informed on if these fights become official or if there are any other updates regarding the lightweight title picture.

Continue Reading Gaethje Title Shot & Makhachev vs. Dariush Are Likely Next Per Manager at MMA News.

Dan Hooker: Dariush Is The Best Lightweight With The Worst Marketability

Dan Hooker believes Beneil Dariush is the most technically gifted UFC lightweight, but also, the most lacking in mainstream appeal.

Widely regarded as the toughest in the UFC, the 155-pound division has long overflowed with talent. Khabib Nurmagome…

Dan Hooker Dariush

Dan Hooker believes Beneil Dariush is the most technically gifted UFC lightweight, but also, the most lacking in mainstream appeal.

Widely regarded as the toughest in the UFC, the 155-pound division has long overflowed with talent. Khabib Nurmagomedov may have retired, but with the likes of Charles Oliveira, Dustin Poirier, and Justin Gaethje still vying for the belt, the division remains a veritable meat grinder of competition.

Add to those names surging contender and Khabib protégé Islam Makhachev, ascending to the top of the lightweight heap is now, as it has been for some time, one of the toughest feats in MMA. 

In defeating Hooker at UFC 267, Makhachev appears to have bridged the gap from relative obscurity to mainstream recognition—being spoken of by many as an inevitable champion. For years, the unassuming Dagestani worked his way up the ranks, and only this year has become a household name. Lacking the charisma of Khabib, Islam has no doubt benefited from the former lightweight champ’s presence in his corner, and the star power he wields.

Dan Hooker Makhachev
PHOTO: GETTY

The Blessing And Curse Of Being Beneil Dariush—According To Dan Hooker

Like Makhachev, Dariush has quietly plied his trade in the lightweight division, going on a seven-fight win streak which in May culminated in a dominant unanimous decision victory over crowd favorite Tony Ferguson.

During this unbeaten streak, Dariush has earned three Performance of the Night awards, and one for Fight of the Night. But despite that, and claiming the scalp of someone with the star power of Ferguson, it appears to have done little for Dariush’s mainstream popularity, even while catapulting him to #3 in the lightweight rankings.

Beneil Dariush Fergson
Beneil Dariush comes agonizingly close to submitting Tony Ferguson during their UFC 262 bout in May

For a man like Hooker, who has become a fan favorite and still remains a force within the division despite losing three of his last four fights, the concept of marketability is one he knows well.

Speaking to The Mac Life, the New Zealander gave his frank assessment of Dariush, saying that the American is the best UFC lightweight technically. Considering the talent-stacked division in which they both compete, it’s a flattering compliment to say the least. However, a back-handed one, given Hooker’s appraisal of Beneil’s ability, or lack thereof, to sell a fight (h/t MiddleEasy).

“Beneil is like the worst in the best way,” said Hooker. “In my personal opinion, Beneil Dariush is the best, technically, in the top five. That’s my personal opinion. Top five to champion, I feel like Beneil Dariush is the best, with like the least—because he’s the nicest guy in the world—the least marketability, and the least ability to sell a fight.”

What do you think? Do you agree with Dan Hooker’s assessment of Beneil Dariush?

Continue Reading Dan Hooker: Dariush Is The Best Lightweight With The Worst Marketability at MMA News.