Drew Dober believes his bout against Islam Makhachev at UFC 259 is a chance to propel himself into the company of some of the best lightweights in the UFC. Drew Dober is well aware that his clash against Islam Makhachev at UFC 259 on March 6 is going t…
Drew Dober believes his bout against Islam Makhachev at UFC 259 is a chance to propel himself into the company of some of the best lightweights in the UFC. Drew Dober is well aware that his clash against Islam Makhachev at UFC 259 on March 6 is going to be a very tough test. In […]
Undefeated, undisputed UFC lightweight champion, Khabib ‘The Eagle’ Nurmagomedov has shared his thoughts on the current state of affairs at 155-pounds, listing arch-rival, ‘The Notorious’ Conor McGregor, former-foe, Dustin ‘The Diamond’ Poirier, and teammate, Islam Makhachev as the best of the crop in the current climate. Despite his retirement immediately following UFC 254 in October, […]
Undefeated, undisputed UFC lightweight champion, Khabib ‘The Eagle’ Nurmagomedov has shared his thoughts on the current state of affairs at 155-pounds, listing arch-rival, ‘The Notorious’ Conor McGregor, former-foe, Dustin ‘The Diamond’ Poirier, and teammate, Islam Makhachev as the best of the crop in the current climate.
Despite his retirement immediately following UFC 254 in October, Khabib remains the undisputed king of the lightweights according to the UFC, with the Russian sambo-specialist sat atop the promotion’s pound-for-pound rankings as well, dislodging former two-time light heavyweight titleholder, Jon ‘Bones’ Jones.
Knocking back another challenger to his throne at the October ‘Fight Island’ event, Khabib successfully unified the lightweight titles with a highlight-reel performance against interim champion, Justin ‘The Highlight’ Gaethje — nabbing a second-round triangle win.
Following the victory, an emotional Khabib shelled up in the centre of the Octagon as emotions built up following the sad passing of his father and renowned sambo trainer, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov earlier that year began to flood out.
Speaking with UFC commentator, Jon Anik afterwards, Khabib announced his decision to retire from professional mixed martial arts with immediate effect, detailing how he had made a promise to his mother that he wouldn’t feature in the Octagon again without his late father by his side.
With the title still firmly wrapped around his waist, a potential lightweight title-eliminator between incoming two-time foes, the above mentioned, Poirier and McGregor is scheduled to headline UFC 257 on January 23 in Abu Dhabi, UAE — and along with those two prior opponents of Khabib, and American Kickboxing Academy stablemate, Makhachev — Khabib sees that lightweight trio as the best in the division right now.
“Lightweight has always been very competitive,” Khabib said during a recent interview with Match TV. “All major UFC events in 2020 were built around lightweight. First, it was Conor (McGregor’s) comeback, then (Justin) Gaethje against (Tony) Ferguson. Then (Dustin) Poirier’s comeback [against Dan Hooker in June]. Then my fight with Gaethje, This weight (division) has always been interesting and competitive.“
“Top three [lightweight] fighters right now? ” Khabib said. “(Dustin) Poirier, (Conor) McGregor, and (Islam) Makhachev. He (Makhachev) is not in the top-five yet, but those are the best fighters. My belt will be taken by the winner of Dustin and Conor.“
Khabib, who is expected to meet with UFC president Dana White regarding his immediate fighting future next month in Abu Dhabi has declared his interest in honouring his retirement, however, White has noted his confidence that Khabib will snap his hiatus in search of a perfect 30-0 résumé.
The 32-year-old Dagestani has also detailed his confusion regarding the status of the undisputed lightweight crown, claiming he’s unaware as to why he’s still billed as the undisputed kingpin despite his decision to hang up his gloves almost three months ago.
The UFC is targeting a high-level lightweight bout between streaking fighters Islam Makhachev and UFC vet Drew Dober for UFC 259 in March. As initially reported by ESPN, a fight between Islam Makhachev and Drew Dober is in the works for UFC 259 on Marc…
The UFC is targeting a high-level lightweight bout between streaking fighters Islam Makhachev and UFC vet Drew Dober for UFC 259 in March. As initially reported by ESPN, a fight between Islam Makhachev and Drew Dober is in the works for UFC 259 on March 6. The ESPN report cited March 6 as an option […]
An intriguing lightweight matchup between Islam Makhachev and Drew Dober is in the works. That’s according to ESPN’s Brett Okamoto who reported Thursday that the promotion was targeting the matchup according to multiple sources. There is no official date as of yet but one potential option is a March 6 date. “UFC targeting a lightweight […]
An intriguing lightweight matchup between Islam Makhachev and Drew Dober is in the works.
That’s according to ESPN’s Brett Okamoto who reported Thursday that the promotion was targeting the matchup according to multiple sources. There is no official date as of yet but one potential option is a March 6 date.
“UFC targeting a lightweight fight between Islam Makhachev (@MAKHACHEVMMA) and Drew Dober (@DrewDober), per multiple sources. No official date yet, but March 6 is an option. That’s a damn good matchup.”
UFC targeting a lightweight fight between Islam Makhachev (@MAKHACHEVMMA) and Drew Dober (@DrewDober), per multiple sources. No official date yet, but March 6 is an option. That's a damn good matchup.
Makhachev is on a six-fight winning streak but last competed in September 2019 when he outpointed Davi Ramos. The Dagestan native was set to take on former lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos last month but had to withdraw from the bout due to a staph infection.
The 29-year-old — currently ranked No. 13 in the lightweight ranks — has long called for a top-ranked contender but will seemingly have to make do with the No. 15-ranked Dober.
Dober won’t be an easy test though.
The Elevation Fight Team product is on a three-fight winning streak and has won six of his last seven overall. His most recent wins include knockouts over Marco Polo Reyes, Nasrat Haqparast and Alexander Hernandez.
What do you think of the matchup? And who do you think comes out on top?
Islam Makhachev is hopeful the UFC rebooks his fight with Rafael dos Anjos. Makhachev and dos Anjos were supposed to fight at UFC 254 but the Brazilian was out with COVID-19. Then, they were rebooked for UFC Vegas 14, and this time it was the Russian h…
Islam Makhachev is hopeful the UFC rebooks his fight with Rafael dos Anjos. Makhachev and dos Anjos were supposed to fight at UFC 254 but the Brazilian was out with COVID-19. Then, they were rebooked for UFC Vegas 14, and this time it was the Russian had to pull out. So, after RDA beat Felder, […]
Islam Makhachev is still looking to fight Rafael dos Anjos. Dos Anjos returned to the win column after a dominant performance over Paul Felder in the UFC Vegas 14 headliner last night. Of course, the Brazilian was originally set to face Makhachev in the main event. However, Makhachev had to pull out just days before […]
Islam Makhachev is still looking to fight Rafael dos Anjos.
Dos Anjos returned to the win column after a dominant performance over Paul Felder in the UFC Vegas 14 headliner last night. Of course, the Brazilian was originally set to face Makhachev in the main event.
However, Makhachev had to pull out just days before the event due to a staph infection which led to Felder stepping in on five days’ notice.
Despite facing a new opponent with a completely different style to Makhachev, Dos Anjos was able to get the job done and now looks very likely to enter the top seven of the lightweight ranks. He has since already called for a fight with Conor McGregor next.
However, Makhachev hopes he will still get to finish his business with Dos Anjos in the future as he congratulated him after the fight.
“Great fight @RdosAnjosMMA congrats! Let’s finish our business in nearest future ”
Great fight @RdosAnjosMMA congrats! Let’s finish our business in nearest future
As many have pointed out, Makhachev is currently No. 12 in the rankings. With Dos Anjos beating Felder who was ranked No. 7, it would make very little sense for the former champion to face someone potentially lower than him in the rankings.
And at 36 years of age, “RDA” doesn’t have as much time left either if he is to realize his dream of becoming a two-time lightweight champion.
Then again, he isn’t one to reject who the UFC picks out for him.
Do you think the pair should finish their business?
Undefeated, undisputed UFC lightweight champion, Khabib ‘The Eagle’ Nurmagomedov has shared his thoughts on the current state of affairs at 155-pounds, listing arch-rival, ‘The Notorious’ Conor McGregor, former-foe, Dustin ‘The Diamond’ Poirier, and teammate, Islam Makhachev as the best of the crop in the current climate. Despite his retirement immediately following UFC 254 in October, […]
An intriguing lightweight matchup between Islam Makhachev and Drew Dober is in the works. That’s according to ESPN’s Brett Okamoto who reported Thursday that the promotion was targeting the matchup according to multiple sources. There is no official date as of yet but one potential option is a March 6 date. “UFC targeting a lightweight […]
Islam Makhachev is still looking to fight Rafael dos Anjos. Dos Anjos returned to the win column after a dominant performance over Paul Felder in the UFC Vegas 14 headliner last night. Of course, the Brazilian was originally set to face Makhachev in the main event. However, Makhachev had to pull out just days before […]
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