Tag: Islam Makhachev

Drew Dober Not Sold On Islam Makhachev: ‘A Lot Of His Hype Comes From Khabib’

Drew DoberUFC lightweight contender Drew Dober isn’t buying into the hype surrounding Islam Makhachev. Dober is set to face the highly touted Russian at UFC 259 on March 6. The 32-year-old has the chance to extend his win streak to four and break the 155lb top-10 in this fight. Makhachev is currently riding a six-fight win […]

Drew Dober

UFC lightweight contender Drew Dober isn’t buying into the hype surrounding Islam Makhachev.

Dober is set to face the highly touted Russian at UFC 259 on March 6. The 32-year-old has the chance to extend his win streak to four and break the 155lb top-10 in this fight. Makhachev is currently riding a six-fight win streak and has been described as a future champion by current lightweight king Khabib Nurmagomedov.

In an interview with MMA Junkie, Dober explained that much of Makhachev’s hype comes directly from ‘The Eagle’.

“I think a lot of the hype comes from when you have one of the greatest of all time Khabib talk so highly of you, plus Russian fans follow their athletes whole-heartedly,” Dober said. “So I think a lot of his hype comes from Khabib and the fanbase and all that stuff and not really so much his accomplishments in the cage. Honestly, that’s what I’m trying to test out, to kinda see if that hype is really all there and that kinda thing. I don’t really see the hype being warranted, but we’re here to find out Mar. 6.”

Dober says he is already being taunted by Makachev’s army of fans ahead of the bout.

“Of course, which I love,” Dober said on Makhachev’s fans coming after him on social media. “Whether you want to see me win or you want to see me lose, you’re tuning into my fight, and performing martial arts in front of as many people as possible is my dream, so I absolutely adore it … Honestly I think I got more negative opinions when I was fighting Nasrat than I do with Islam, but man, it’s all the same to me,” he continued. “It’s more eyes on my fight, and the more eyes the merrier, and I get super excited about it so I’m really just enjoying every moment of this camp.”

Do you agree with Drew Dober? Is Islam Makhachev overhyped because of his links to Khabib Nurmagomedov?

Drew Dober Says no Kryptonite For Him at UFC 259

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 […]

Khabib Names McGregor, Poirier, And Makhachev As The Three Best Lightweights In The UFC

KhabibUndefeated, 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

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. 

Islam Makhachev vs. Drew Dober Targeted for UFC 259 in March

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 […]

The post Islam Makhachev vs. Drew Dober Targeted for UFC 259 in March appeared first on MMA News.

Report: Islam Makhachev vs. Drew Dober Targeted For Potential March Date

Makhachev DoberAn 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 […]

Makhachev Dober

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.”

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 Calls For Rafael dos Anjos Fight To Be Rebooked: ‘Let’s Finish Our Business’

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, […]

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