Tag: Islam Makhachev

Makhachev Makes Case For Title Shot After Speaking With Dana White

Islam Makhachev has his eyes set on the UFC lightweight title after earning another submission win over Dan Hooker at UFC 267.

Makhachev has emerged as one of the best lightweights in the world, with nine straight wins, and has gone without a defea…

Islam Makhachev Dana White

Islam Makhachev has his eyes set on the UFC lightweight title after earning another submission win over Dan Hooker at UFC 267.

Makhachev has emerged as one of the best lightweights in the world, with nine straight wins, and has gone without a defeat since 2015. His relentless grappling has overwhelmed his opponents, and he passed the toughest test of his career with relative ease against Hooker.

Makhachev wants to continue the legacy of his teammate and mentor, Khabib Nurmagomedov, and earn the lightweight belt. He made his desires clear during his UFC 267 post-fight press conference.

“Next fight, it has to be for the title or contender fight because I have a nine-fight win streak,” Makhachev said. “Who in my division [is] like this? Just champion? That’s why and you know, I feel my division is a little bit asleep right now. I have to wake up my division because I have to change some things. All guys from the top 5, already fight for the title: Chandler, Gaethje. That’s why we have to change something.”

Makhachev had the chance to speak with UFC president Dana White following his dominant win, and White was non-committal when asked whether or not Makhachev would get the next title shot.

“He said, ‘I have to go back and we’ll see,” Makhachev said.

Gaethje vs. Chandler UFC 268 Bout Looms Large

Michael Chandler Justin Gaethje
(via Zuffa LLC)

Top lightweight contenders and former title challengers Justin Gaethje and Michael Chandler will fight on the UFC 268 main card this weekend. Despite the highly-anticipated matchup, Makhachev doesn’t think either of them warrant another shot at the belt.

“But these guys already fight for the title,” Makhachev said. “Chandler, last fight he fought for the title. Gaethje, many times he fought for the title. That’s why I think it’s my time. They have to give me a chance. Dana [White] has to give me a chance.”

Chandler lost to UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira for the vacant lightweight belt at UFC 262 earlier this year, and before that knocked out Hooker at UFC 257. Makhachev thinks that he deserves the same path to the title.

Michael Chandler Punches Dan Hooker
Credit: Jeff Bottari, Zuffa LLC

“When Chandler beat Hooker, they give him the title fight. But why not?” Makhachev said. “I’m ready, too. I’m here not to beat 15 people and fight. I have nine fights now. That’s why I think I deserve it.”

Many believe that it’s almost a foregone conclusion that Makhachev is a UFC lightweight champion in the making, as he continues his dominant streak over top contenders such as Hooker. Makhachev was also supposed to fight former champion Rafael dos Anjos at UFC 267 before dos Anjos pulled out due to injury.

Regardless, it’s only a matter of time until Makhachev finally gets the lightweight title shot he deserves. When that happens, it could be a while until another contender rises to truly challenge him in the Octagon.

Do you think Dana White should award Islam Makhachev with the next lightweight title shot?

Continue Reading Makhachev Makes Case For Title Shot After Speaking With Dana White at MMA News.

Daniel Cormier & Justin Gaethje Bicker After ‘DC’ Says Islam Makhachev Should Get Title Shot

Daniel CormierDaniel Cormier was full of praise for his American Kickboxing Academy teammate, Islam Makhachev, following his first-round submission win over Dan Hooker at UFC 267. Soon after the surging Russian contender locked up a kimura to beat Hooker, Cormier was on social media calling for Makhachev to get an immediate title shot while simultaneously dismissing […]

Daniel Cormier

Daniel Cormier was full of praise for his American Kickboxing Academy teammate, Islam Makhachev, following his first-round submission win over Dan Hooker at UFC 267.

Soon after the surging Russian contender locked up a kimura to beat Hooker, Cormier was on social media calling for Makhachev to get an immediate title shot while simultaneously dismissing the upcoming UFC 268 lightweight fight between Justin Gaethje and Michael Chandler.

Daniel Cormier Irks Justin Gaethje With Islam Makhachev Title Claim

“Give @MAKHACHEVMMA the title fight! I don’t even need to see who wins next week,” Cormier wrote on Twitter. “This dude just killed it. Khabib said this was his MSG moment and boy did he not deliver. He’s gonna be the champ.”

“Suck it harder @dc_mma,” Gaethje replied.

Cormier refused to back down after being called out by ‘The Highlight’.

“I can’t fight you, but Islam can my guy. You just go and do what you do next week. You may be safe I’m not sure champ. @Justin_Gaethje”

Gaethje blasted Cormier to referencing his upcoming fight while trying to talk up his teammate.

“@dc_mma You brought my name up. It wasn’t going to come out of anybody’s mouth.”

The former dual-weight UFC champion tried to de-escalate the situation by expressing his belief that Gaethje should’ve got an immediate title shot after his loss to Khabib Nurmagomedov.

“@Justin_Gaethje  I literally asked why he should get title shot over you? Because he has to convince he deserves to jump you. Hell I thought you should have been in the fight with Charles. Have said it publicly. Calm down highlight , you’re my favorite fighter.”

The lightweight title will be on the line when Charles Oliveira squares off against Dustin Poirier at UFC 269 on December 11. As of right now, it is unclear who is next in line after ‘The Diamond’. Islam Makhachev appears to be in a strong position but so would Gaethje if he’s able to get by Chandler at UFC 268.

Do you agree with Daniel Cormier? Should Islam Makhachev be next line for a shot at the UFC lightweight title?

Conor McGregor Blasts Islam Makhachev Following UFC 267 Victory

Conor McGregorFormer UFC lightweight and featherweight champion Conor McGregor wasn’t impressed by Islam Makhachev’s performance at UFC 267 and took the opportunity to roast him while alluding to his earlier claims about inbreeding in Dagestan. McGregor is still in the middle of his recovery from a nasty leg injury he suffered at UFC 264 earlier this […]

Conor McGregor

Former UFC lightweight and featherweight champion Conor McGregor wasn’t impressed by Islam Makhachev’s performance at UFC 267 and took the opportunity to roast him while alluding to his earlier claims about inbreeding in Dagestan.

McGregor is still in the middle of his recovery from a nasty leg injury he suffered at UFC 264 earlier this year and is planning for a return sometime in 2022.

It didn’t take long for Makhachev to prove he’s a real player in the lightweight division, as he submitted Dan Hooker just minutes into their fight. He has won nine straight bouts and could be next in line for the title shot.

But McGregor, who is bitter adversaries with Makhachev’s teammate, Khabib Nurmagomedov, took the time to taunt him on social media following his win. McGregor has repeatedly accused the Russian nation of Dagestan of including a culture of inbreeding, which has been widely disputed.

Conor McGregor roasted Islam Makhachev following his win over Dan Hooker

“He’s his uncle’s cousin’s son and you can tell,” McGregor tweeted in a since-deleted post. “Congrats cuz cuz.”

It’s not exactly a secret that Makhachev, Nurmagomedov, and McGregor don’t exactly see eye to eye. The two sides have been at each other’s nerves for years, stemming from McGregor and Nurmagomedov’s buildup and fight earlier in their careers.

McGregor hasn’t stepped off the gas pedal since Nurmagomedov retired last year, berating him on social media and in various interviews. Makhachev has also called for a fight with McGregor in recent years, but nothing has materialized.

Now that Makhachev is near the top of the lightweight title picture, a matchup between McGregor and him isn’t completely off the table for some time in the future. McGregor could possibly face Dustin Poirier for a fourth time in his return, although nothing is set just yet for his return to the octagon.

What are your thoughts on Conor McGregor’s latest Twitter taunt against Islam Makhachev?

Islam Makhachev Stops Dan Hooker With First Round Kimura – UFC 267 Highlights

Islam MakhachevIt’s eight straight wins for American Kickboxing Academy mainstay, Islam Makhachev — who stops the #6 ranked, Dan Hooker with a brutal opening round kimura with less than three minutes on the Octagon clock on the main card of UFC 267. Circling around the striking of Hooker in the opening minute, Makhachev managed to score […]

Islam Makhachev

It’s eight straight wins for American Kickboxing Academy mainstay, Islam Makhachev — who stops the #6 ranked, Dan Hooker with a brutal opening round kimura with less than three minutes on the Octagon clock on the main card of UFC 267.

Circling around the striking of Hooker in the opening minute, Makhachev managed to score a quickfire takedown, landing Hooker against the Octagon fence right beside his teammate and former undisputed lightweight champion, Khabib Nurmagomedov.

Islam Makhachev stops Dan Hooker with spectacular first round kimura

Patiently triangulating his legs around Hooker’s, Makhachev passed to side-control, and eventually locked up a taut kimura, forcing Hooker to eventually give up the ghost in his short notice turnaround.

Below, catch Makhachev’s kimura victory over Hooker.

Islam Makhachev Doesn’t Mind Being Called ‘The Next Khabib’

Islam Makhachev isn’t shying away from all the comparisons being made between himself and his mentor.

Islam Makhachev will be stepping back into the UFC Octagon this weekend when he takes on Dan Hooker at UFC 267. Makhachev has a lot of hype surro…

Khabib Islam Makhachev

Islam Makhachev isn’t shying away from all the comparisons being made between himself and his mentor.

Islam Makhachev will be stepping back into the UFC Octagon this weekend when he takes on Dan Hooker at UFC 267. Makhachev has a lot of hype surrounding him coming into this fight. He has won all but one of his UFC fights so far and has made a name for himself in the division. Although he is getting the praise he deserves, most of the time it is paired with praise for his mentor and coach Khabib Nurmagomedov.

Because Makhachev’s style and mannerisms are so similar to Nurmagomedov’s he is often called, “The Next Khabib”. A young fighter trying to make their way in the UFC might want to separate themselves from such comparisons, but not Makhachev, he is embracing it.

“I want to be next Khabib. I want to be like Khabib. Honestly, I want to smash all my opponents like Khabib, too,” Makhachev told BT Sports. “I have little bit same [statistics], but I agree. If somebody say, ‘You fight like Khabib’ or ‘You gonna be like Khabib,’ I want to be.”

Makhachev is on an eight-fight winning streak coming into this bout with Hooker. Hooker is stepping in on short notice to replace hiss initial opponent Rafael dos Anjos who suffered an injury. Dos Anjos was trying to use Makhachev as a ploy to get a bout with Nurmagomedov who is retired. If he gets the win over Hooker he will find himself in a great position in the division and more fighters will be looking the get a bout with him instead.

Following in his mentor’s footsteps seems inevitable for Makhachev, he is only one submission away from tying Nurmagomedov’s UFC submissions. If he wins the title then both can claim mission accomplished.

Do you think Islam Makhachev can be as successful as Khabib Numragomedov was in the UFC?

Continue Reading Islam Makhachev Doesn’t Mind Being Called ‘The Next Khabib’ at MMA News.

Dan Hooker Excited To Make His Fans Money By Beating Makhachev

Dan Hooker doesn’t care he’s the betting underdog in his UFC 267 fight against Islam Makhachev.

After Hooker returned to the win column at UFC 266 with a decision win over Nasrat Haqparast, the Kiwi stepped up on short notice to face Makhachev. It’…

Dan Hooker

Dan Hooker doesn’t care he’s the betting underdog in his UFC 267 fight against Islam Makhachev.

After Hooker returned to the win column at UFC 266 with a decision win over Nasrat Haqparast, the Kiwi stepped up on short notice to face Makhachev. It’s an intriguing matchup but the oddsmakers don’t expect it to be a close one as the Russian is a massive -650 favorite while Hooker is a +460 underdog.

Meaning, you would need to bet $650 to win $100 if you like Makhachev. If you like Hooker, a $100 bet would net you $460, so with that, “The Hangman” is excited to make his supporters a lot of money.

“I think it’s great. I don’t want to say anything that’s going to change that betting line too much. The boys are going to make some money,” Hooker told the South China Morning Post. “This is [Makhachev’s] party, I’m just there to spoil it.”

Islam Makhachev, Dan Hooker
Islam Makhachev, Dan Hooker (Image Credits: Mike Lawrie/Alex Bierens de Haan/Getty Images)

It would be a massive upset if Hooker does get the win as many have pegged Makhachev as a future champion. The oddsmakers also don’t expect this fight to be close, but Hooker is confident he has the skills to be able to surprise money and pull off the upset.

If Dan Hooker does pull off the upset, he would be in line to face a top contender next. Some think if Makhachev wins he may get the next title shot, so for Hooker, the hope is, is with a win, he’s fighting in a number one contender bout in his next appearance. Yet, in order for that to happen, he will need to pull off the upset this weekend.

UFC 267 goes down on Saturday, October 30, on Fight Island in Abu Dhabi. Be sure to stay locked to MMANews for all the latest news and results for the stacked card.

Do you think Dan Hooker will beat Islam Makhachev at UFC 267?

Continue Reading Dan Hooker Excited To Make His Fans Money By Beating Makhachev at MMA News.