Tag: Islam Makhachev

Islam Makhachev vs. Justin Gaethje Dubbed as ‘The fight to make’ for the uFC lightweight championship

Islam MakhachevAli Abdelaziz, the manager of reigning lightweight world champion Islam Makhachev, believes Justin Gaethje should receive the next shot…

Islam Makhachev

Ali Abdelaziz, the manager of reigning lightweight world champion Islam Makhachev, believes Justin Gaethje should receive the next shot at the 155-pound crown.

Originally, Makahchev was slated to defend his title against Charles Oliveira in a rematch at UFC 294 in October, but ‘Do Bronx’ was forced to withdraw from the bout after sustaining a cut whilst training. The ‘Dagestani Destroyer’ went on to defend his title definitively against short-notice replacement Alexander Volkanovski at the event.

Many assumed that the UFC would simply rebook Makhachev vs. Oliveira 2 for some time in 2024, but if Abdelaziz gets his wish, the promotion will move on from that matchup for something a little more fresh.

“@MAKHACHEVMMA vs @Justin_Gaethje Next, this is the fight to make,” Abdelaziz wrote on X.

Abdelaziz followed that up with another post that served as a warning to the potential title challenger.

“@Justin_Gaethje you will never be the same after you fight him remember that.”

Islam Makhachev Agrees with his manager

The champ echoed similar sentiments in a recent interview, making it clear that he is no longer interested in any rematches.

“To be honest, I’ve already told [UFC] I’m not interested in rematches,” he said. “Because if you want to [be a champion] in a good way, you have to add new names. There is [Justin] Gaethje, who I would say deserved a fight. I think it would be more interesting to fight him.”

Of course, with Ali Abdelaziz representing both Islam Makhachev and Justin Gaethje, he stands to cash in no matter the outcome.

Islam Makhachev picked to beat ‘One-Dimensional’ Leon Edwards after UFC 296: ‘He’s going to expose him’

Islam Makhachev picked to expose Leon Edwards after UFC 296 he's one dimensionalCalling his shot at undisputed welterweight champion, Leon Edwards following his win at UFC 296 over the course of…

Islam Makhachev picked to expose Leon Edwards after UFC 296 he's one dimensional

Calling his shot at undisputed welterweight champion, Leon Edwards following his win at UFC 296 over the course of last weekend, lightweight titleholder, Islam Makhachev has been picked to “expose” the Birmingham native by former two-weight champion, Henry Cejudo if they ever share the Octagon in the future. 

Cejudo, a former undisputed flyweight and bantamweight champion under the banner of the promotion, is slated to make his return to the Octagon at UFC 298 in February, taking on Merab Dvalishvili.

As for Edwards, the UK fighter headlined UFC 296 over the course of the weekend, handing fierce rival, Colby Covington a one-sided unanimous decision loss in the pair’s long-awaited grudge match.

For Makhachev, the Russian standout defended his lightweight title at UFC 294 back in October in a devastating first round win over Alexander Volkanovski, stopping the Australian with a hellacious first round high kick knockout win.

And staking his claim for a shot at Edwards off the back of his win at UFC 296, Makhachev called for a change in guard at the welterweight limit in the immediate aftermath of the flagship event.

“Leon (Edwards) has to be next,” Islam Makhachev said. “And also, this fight [Edwards vs. Covington} was bullsh*t, man. You have to change the champion.”

Islam Makhachev backed to beat Leon Edwards

And receiving backing from the above-mentioned, Cejudo, who has turned coach for a host of UFC champions and leading contenders, Makhachev would handily “expose” Edwards in a future clash.

“This is where I feel like a guy like Islam (Makhachev) is going to expose him (Leon Edwards) because he does fight everybody the same” Henry Cejudo said on his YouTube channel. “We saw it with guys likes Israel Adesanya, we saw it with guys that are just pretty much one-dimensional. The guys who are the hardest guys to fight are the guys that have other weapons other than just striking.”

“He’s got everything to lose,” Cejudo said. “He’s already talking about going up and fighting Sean Strickland. These guys are probably avoiding a guy like Islam Makhachev.” 

Who wins in a future title fight: Leon Edwards or Islam Makhachev?

Ranking the UFC’s Best Fights of the Year for 2023

2023 was quite a year for MMA. We watched Francis Ngannou leave the UFC, sign with the PFL, and score a blockbuster boxing match with Tyson Fury. We saw Jon…

2023 was quite a year for MMA. We watched Francis Ngannou leave the UFC, sign with the PFL, and score a blockbuster boxing match with Tyson Fury. We saw Jon…

Islam Makhachev calls for title fight with rival Leon Edwards after UFC 296: ‘He has to be next’

Islam Makhachev calls for title fight with Leon Edwards after UFC 296 he has to be nextUndisputed lightweight champion and pound-for-pound number one, Islam Makhachev is campaigning for his own chance to become a two-division…

Islam Makhachev calls for title fight with Leon Edwards after UFC 296 he has to be next

Undisputed lightweight champion and pound-for-pound number one, Islam Makhachev is campaigning for his own chance to become a two-division titleholder, calling for a siege of the welterweight crown against Leon Edwards after taking front-row viewing at UFC 296 over the weekend.

Makhachev, the current lightweight champion, headlined UFC 294 back in October most recently, landing a successful defense of his title in a blistering first round high-kick knockout win over two-time foe, Alexander Volkanovski in the pair’s rematch in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

As for Edwards, the Birmingham native continued his run as welterweight crown holder following UFC 296 over the weekend, turning in a comprehensive and comfortable unanimous decision win over former interim champion, Colby Covington in the duo’s grudge match in Las Vegas.

Making his intentions to strike gold a division higher in a bid to become a two-weight champion, Makhachev unleashed a scathing review of Edwards’ performance against Covington in the immediate aftermath of UFC 296 – as well as the latter’s underwhelming challenge.

“I will finish both this guy,” Islam Makhachev posted on his official X account.

Islam Makhachev sets sights on Leon Edwards

And in a brief video recorded backstage after UFC 296, Makhachev claimed he should fight Edwards for welterweight gold immediately – before urging the Dana White-led promotion to find a new division gold holder. 

“Leon (Edwards) has to be next,” Islam Makhachev said. “And also, this fight [Edwards vs. Covington} was bullsh*t, man. You have to change the champion.” 

Recently shooting down a title fight rematch with former champion, Charles Oliveira off the back of their cancelled re-run at UFC 294 back in October, Makhachev welcomed the possibility of fighting former interim champion turned symbolic BMF champion, Justin Gaethje next.

“To be honest, I’ve already told I’m not that interested in rematches,” Islam Makhachev said. “Because if you want to win someone in a good way, you have to add new names.”

“There is (Justin) Gaethje, who I would say deserved a fight,” Islam Makhachev continued. “I think it would be more interesting to fight him. I think in March, maybe – most likely, yes, at the number event [UFC 299].”

Who wins in a future title fight: Islam Makhachev or Leon Edwards?

Islam Makhachev reacts to Leon Edwards’ Victory over Colby Covington at UFC 296: ‘I will finish both this guy’

Islam MakhachevReigning UFC lightweight world champion Islam Makhachev was far from impressed with the performances of Leon Edwards and Colby…

Islam Makhachev

Reigning UFC lightweight world champion Islam Makhachev was far from impressed with the performances of Leon Edwards and Colby Covington on Saturday night.

Covington stepped into the main event spotlight at UFC 296 for his third, and presumably final shot at championship gold against current welterweight king Leon ‘Rocky’ Edwards. Through five rounds, Edwards largely dominated the contest, stymying Covington’s offense along the way with his impeccable footwork and superior striking. Covington did run away with the fifth round via some lengthy top control, but even that was only made possible by Edwards’ insistence on grappling with the former All-American.

In the end, ‘Rocky’ walked away with a decisive 49-46 score on all three cards to retain his title.

Sharing his thoughts on the contest, Islam Makhachev took to social media and made it clear that should he ever make his way to 170, he could easily take out both Covington and Edwards in exchange for two-division glory.

“I will finish both this guy,” Makhachev wrote on X.

Islam Makhachev has his sights on a second world title

Since scoring his second-straight victory over featherweight titleholder Alexander Volkanovski in October, Islam Makhachev’s next move at lightweight is currently up in the air. Both Charles Oliveira and Justin Gaethje are circling potential title fights with the ‘Dagestani Destroyer,’ but if Makhachev gets his wish, a move to welterweight for a shot at a second world title may be in his future.

Makhachev vs. Edwards would certainly carry a significant level of intrigue for fight fans, but all signs point toward ‘Rocky’ putting his strap on the line against Belal Muhammad when he returns to the Octagon in 2024.

Are you interested in seeing Islam Makhachev venture to the land of the welterweights for a potential meeting with Leon Edwards, or does Khabib Nurmagomedov’s protege still have some work to do in his own division first?

Colby Covington hits out at Islam Makhachev ahead of UFC 296 return: ‘I’m not a weight bully like him’

Colby Covington hits out at Islam Makhachev I'm not a weight bully like him UFC 296Confirming his intentions to fight undisputed lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev in the immediate future ahead of his return to…

Colby Covington hits out at Islam Makhachev I'm not a weight bully like him UFC 296

Confirming his intentions to fight undisputed lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev in the immediate future ahead of his return to the Octagon at UFC 296 this weekend, incoming welterweight title chaser, Colby Covington has described the Russian as a “weight bully”.

Covington, the current number three ranked welterweight contender and former interim divisional titleholder, is slated to headline UFC 296 this weekend in Las Vegas, Nevada – taking on incumbent weight class gold holder, Leon Edwards in a long-anticipated title showdown.

Himself sidelined since March of last year, Clovis native, Covington most recently turned in a one-sided unanimous decision win over former title challenger and prior training partner, Jorge Masvidal in a shutout victory.

Colby Covington again targets Islam Makhachev

And poking fun at American Kickboxing Academy staple, Makhachev ahead of his title fight with Edwards this weekend, Covington claimed the lightweight kingpin was nothing more than just a “weight bully” who fought against “midgets”.

“I don’t cut weight though, you know,” Colby Covington said. “I’m a real fighter, you know, ‘cause I fight at my natural weight class because I’m the best fighter in the world. I’m not a weight bully like Islam Makhachev who has to cut all that weight to have an advantage over midgets and beat those guys up. So, you know, that’s why I’m the number one pound-for-pound fighter on earth – ‘cause I fight at my natural weight class.” 

Weighing up a potential title fight with Makhachev in the future, Covington sought to repeat the theme from heralded screenplay, Rocky IV in a fight with the lightweight kingpin. 

“Number one for sure, is Islam Makhachev,” Colby Covington explained “That’s the money fight. That needs to be settled. USA vs. Russia. It’s the Rocky IV theme line. Rocky vs. Drago. Everybody is talking like he’s pound-for-pound this, he’s pound-for-pound that. Against me, he’ll see a real fighter.”

“He needs to stop being a weight bully, cutting all that weight to get the size advantage over people, and he needs to come see America’s champ,” Colby Covington told. “He needs to come see Donald Trump’s favorite fighter. I’ll see you soon, Islam.” 

Who wins in a future title fight: Colby Covington or Islam Makhachev?