Islam Makhachev vs. Rafael dos Anjos Rescheduled for Nov. 12

Islam Makhachev and Rafael dos Anjos have a new date after their UFC 254 cancellation.  As reported by MMA DNA, Islam Makhachev vs. Rafael dos Anjos will now take place on November 14 at UFC on ESPN+ 41. The bout was originally set to take place a…

Islam Makhachev and Rafael dos Anjos have a new date after their UFC 254 cancellation.  As reported by MMA DNA, Islam Makhachev vs. Rafael dos Anjos will now take place on November 14 at UFC on ESPN+ 41. The bout was originally set to take place at UFC 254, but the date was pushed back […]

The post Islam Makhachev vs. Rafael dos Anjos Rescheduled for Nov. 12 appeared first on MMA News.

Khabib: Michael Chandler Is #1 Contender With Win Over Makhachev

Islam Makhachev’s team is not giving up on finding him an opponent for UFC 254, and now lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov is offering a potential title shot to Michael Chandler if he defeats Makhachev. Earlier today it was revealed that Islam Ma…

Islam Makhachev’s team is not giving up on finding him an opponent for UFC 254, and now lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov is offering a potential title shot to Michael Chandler if he defeats Makhachev. Earlier today it was revealed that Islam Makhachev has been officially removed from UFC 254 after the promotion failed to find […]

The post Khabib: Michael Chandler Is #1 Contender With Win Over Makhachev appeared first on MMA News.

Chael Sonnen: Khabib Told Me He’ll View Michael Chandler As No. 1 Contender If He Beats Makhachev

ChandlerKhabib Nurmagomedov is willing to view Michael Chandler as the number one contender in the lightweight division if he faces and defeats Islam Makhachev. That’s according to Chael Sonnen who revealed Nurmagomedov called him to relay that particular message. Nurmagomedov has been campaigning for Makhachev to get a new opponent at UFC 254 on October […]

Chandler

Khabib Nurmagomedov is willing to view Michael Chandler as the number one contender in the lightweight division if he faces and defeats Islam Makhachev. That’s according to Chael Sonnen who revealed Nurmagomedov called him to relay that particular message.

Nurmagomedov has been campaigning for Makhachev to get a new opponent at UFC 254 on October 24 ever since the latter’s initial opponent in Rafael dos Anjos tested positive for COVID-19.

One option is Chandler who is currently serving as the official backup for Nurmagomedov’s lightweight title unification bout against Justin Gaethje in the main event. It would make sense for Chandler as well as should he not be needed at UFC 254, he will no longer be the number one contender after the event.

However, that seemingly won’t be the case according to Nurmagomedov if Chandler comes out on top against Makhachev.

“I got a phone call from Khabib,” Sonnen said in a recent video. “He’s never called me before. … He said, ‘there’s nobody I’m closer to than Islam. I’m telling you right now — if Michael Chandler beats Islam, I will view Michael Chandler the number one contender. I want you to get the message out.’”

Unfortunately, it looks like it might be too late as the full UFC 254 card was recently released and it doesn’t feature Makhachev. Then again, things could easily change in an instant in the fight game — especially if Chandler receives the message.

You can watch the full video below:

What do you make of Nurmagomedov’s claim?

Khabib Nurmagomedov Believes Tony Ferguson’s Time Is Finished, Calls For Him To Face Makhachev

Nurmagomedov Tony FergusonKhabib Nurmagomedov believes Tony Ferguson will not be the same fighter once he returns to action. Nurmagomedov takes on Justin Gaethje in a lightweight title unification bout that will headline UFC 254 on October 24. Of course, it could have been Ferguson that Nurmagomedov was facing later this month. However, Ferguson would lose to Gaethje […]

Nurmagomedov Tony Ferguson

Khabib Nurmagomedov believes Tony Ferguson will not be the same fighter once he returns to action.

Nurmagomedov takes on Justin Gaethje in a lightweight title unification bout that will headline UFC 254 on October 24. Of course, it could have been Ferguson that Nurmagomedov was facing later this month.

However, Ferguson would lose to Gaethje via fifth-round TKO in their interim lightweight title fight at UFC 249 back in May, further cursing a dream contest with Nurmagomedov. And as far as “The Eagle” is concerned, he doesn’t believe a fight with Ferguson is possible anymore.

In fact, he even believes Ferguson may be finished at the top given the punishment he took from Gaethje.

“Nobody can be the same for a long time. Nobody,” Nurmagomedov told ESPN. “No Tony Ferguson, no Khabib, nobody. One day, somebody gonna beat you, something gonna happen, God doesn’t give nobody the power, reaction, mental, one level, always.

“One day you’re going to go down and his day come. It was May. Tony Ferguson’s time is finished. Now he’s gonna come back, and someone gonna beat him again, I believe. Because when you take damage like this, you’ll never going to be the same. Never ever. Even if you’re Tony Ferguson. He took too much damage.”

However, there is one way Ferguson could get back into title contention and that’s by competing at UFC 254.

“El Cucuy” was originally slated to face Dustin Poirier at the event but failed negotiations with the UFC meant the fight didn’t come to fruition. Michael Chandler was offered instead but Ferguson took issue with the new signing being paid more than him.

Instead, Nurmagomedov has called on Ferguson to face Islam Makhachev — currently without an opponent after Rafael dos Anjos tested positive for COVID-19.

“Right now, [Ferguson] have choice,” Nurmagomedov added. “He can come to Fight Island and fight with Islam Makhachev. Islam have six-fight win streak, he is almost in the Top 10. He has a name. Why not? Why he don’t want to take this fight? UFC is going to give him good money. Ali Abdelaziz is going to give him $100,000 and $100,000. After this, maybe he can fight for the title if he win. But I think his time is finished.”

What do you make of Nurmagomedov’s comments?

Islam Makhachev Targets Top Lightweight Contenders After RDA Pulled From UFC 254

MakhachevEarly today it was announced that Rafael Dos Anjos would not be competing at UFC 254 due to a positive COVID-19 test. This news has left his scheduled opponent Islam Makhachev without a fight on the event. Taking to Twitter Makhachev targeted many of the top Lightweight fighters in the UFC offering them the fight […]

Makhachev

Early today it was announced that Rafael Dos Anjos would not be competing at UFC 254 due to a positive COVID-19 test. This news has left his scheduled opponent Islam Makhachev without a fight on the event. Taking to Twitter Makhachev targeted many of the top Lightweight fighters in the UFC offering them the fight on October 24.

“RDA is out yo @MikeChandlerMMA here’s your chance to jump on the Island #UFC254”

Firstly he extended to invitation to UFC newcomer Michael Chandler who will be at the event to weigh in as a backup for the Lightweight title fight between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Justin Gaethje.

Next, he called for Charles Oliveira to take the fight. The #5 ranked UFC Lightweight was scheduled to face Beniel Dariush before pulling from that matchup for undisclosed reasons. Currently, Oliveira does not have a scheduled opponent.

Finally, Makhachev called to face Dan Hooker who is coming off a loss against Dustin Poirier in June. Since then Hooker has been attached to matchups with many of the Lightweights top 10 however nothing has been signed or announced.

Makhachev’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz reached out to Tony Ferguson offering him the fight against his client stating that Makhachev is the closest thing to Khabib Nurmagomedov and that now RDA is out he could take the fight in his place.

Ferguson and Nurmagomedov have been scheduled to fight on five different occasions, however, for one reason or another it has fallen through most recently due to the COVID 19 pandemic causing border restrictions. Ferguson was attached to a bout against Dustin Poirier on UFC 254, however, negotiations for this came to a halt due to Poirier not feeling he was being financially compensated. Since this Poirier has shared he signed to face Conor McGregor while Ferguson remains left without an opponent.

Rafael dos Anjos Returns to Lightweight Against Islam Makhachev

Rafael dos Anjos is returning to the division where he once held UFC gold when he takes on #12-ranked lightweight Islam Makhachev this fall. Originally reported by BJPenn.com, Rafael dos Anjos is back at lightweight after breaking even in the welterwei…

Rafael dos Anjos is returning to the division where he once held UFC gold when he takes on #12-ranked lightweight Islam Makhachev this fall. Originally reported by BJPenn.com, Rafael dos Anjos is back at lightweight after breaking even in the welterweight division at 4-4. Awaiting him will be a competitor who is near perfect inside […]

The post Rafael dos Anjos Returns to Lightweight Against Islam Makhachev appeared first on MMA News.