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Islam Makhachev backed to retire in ‘Couple more years’ amid plans for UFC 299 fight with Justin Gaethje

Islam Makhachev backed to retire in two years by Daniel Cormier uFC Daniel Corimer envisions an early retirement for former teammate, Islam Makhachev. Makhachev successfully followed in close friend ~Khabib Nurmagomedov’s…

Daniel Corimer envisions an early retirement for former teammate, Islam Makhachev.

Makhachev successfully followed in close friend ~Khabib Nurmagomedov’s footsteps when he won the UFC lightweight title by defeating Charles Oliviera at UFC 280 in October of last year. However, it seems that Makhachev may be headed for an early retirement, much like Nurmagomedov.

The 32-year-old most recently stopped Alexander Volkaonvski, putting to bed their chapter after the Australian pushed Islam Makhachev to the very brink in their first fight at UFC 284. Volkanovski stepped in on late notice, filling in for Oliveira who withdrew due to a cut at UFC 294 in October.

While it seems that Islam Makhachev – Charles Oliveira II would be rebooked, Makhachev instead seems set on taking on a fresh opponent, Justin Gaethje.

Daniel Cormier predicts Islam Makhachev will retire soon.

Discussing the situation on his YouTube channel, Cormier thinks that Makhachev is seeking new matchups as he wants to add more names to his resume before hanging up the gloves.

“That immediately makes you think,” Daniel Cormier said. “Is Islam saying that he doesn’t want rematches because it’s Tsaruykan? Because before, it seemed like it was all systems go for Charles Oliveira. But again, we hadn’t heard from Islam. We don’t know if that’s how Islam’s been feeling. ‘I don’t really want to do rematches’,” Cormier discussed.

This is where I think we’re messing up, when we watch that video. We’re missing why Islam said he doesn’t want rematches, and why I think he’s right. If I’m being honest… When the reporter followed up with ‘Islam, can you see yourself doing this until you’re 40?’, Islam said ‘40? No. Maybe a couple of more years’. That’s why I think it’s right.”

Makhachev is currently not expected to return to the cage until at least March 2024, no opponent has been announced.

Do you agree with Daniel Cormier?

UFC stars Khabib Nurmagomedov, Islam Makhachev again accused of PED use: ‘They’re loaded like mules’

Former undisputed lightweight champion, Khabib Nurmagomedov and current division kingpin, Islam Makhachev have once more been slapped with accusations…

Former undisputed lightweight champion, Khabib Nurmagomedov and current division kingpin, Islam Makhachev have once more been slapped with accusations of utilising PEDs (Performance enhancing drugs) during their respective UFC tenures, according to contender, Benoit Saint Denis, who claimed the pair were “loaded like mules”.

Nurmagomedov, a former undisputed lightweight champion and recent inductee into the promotion’s Hall of Fame, bowed out from the sport back in late 2020, following a spectacular lightweight title unification win over then-interim gold holder, Justin Gaethje in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

As for Islam Makhachev, the American Kickboxing Academy staple and current pound-for-pound number one ranked fighter under the banner of the UFC, headlined a pay-per-view event most recently in October, landing a stunning opening round high-kick knockout win over featherweight champion, Alexander Volkanovski in the pair’s lightweight rematch.

Khabib Nurmagomedov, Islam Makhachev hit with PED use accusations

And slapped with accusations of utilizing banned substances in the past by common-rival, former two-weight champion, Conor McGregor, Islam Makhachev’s prior indiscretion with the banned substance, meldonium has left the aforenoted, Saint Denis speculating that the stable of fighters are collectively utilizing PEDs “intelligently”.

“Regarding the Nurmagomedov family, for example, I no longer have any doubt,” Benoit Saint Denis told La Figaro during a recent interview. “They are loaded like mules. They are intelligent in the way they do drugs, but they know how to do it very well.”

“(Islam) Makhachev was caught with meldonium, for example, this is a product that got the entire Russian Federation sanctioned and removed from the 2016 Olympics,” Saint Denis continued. “The current UFC lightweight champion got caught in 2016.”

In the midst of an impressive five-fight undefeated win streak since June of last year, Saint Denis most recently stopped fellow lightweight contender, Matt Frevola with a hellacious first round high-kick KO in the pair’s UFC 295 clash back in November at Madison Square Garden. The stoppage win earned Saint Denis the number twelve rank in the division to boot.

UFC stars Khabib Nurmagomedov, Islam Makhachev again accused of PED use: ‘They’re loaded like mules’

Former undisputed lightweight champion, Khabib Nurmagomedov and current division kingpin, Islam Makhachev have once more been slapped with accusations…

Khabib Nurmagomedov, Islam Makhachev hit with PED use accusations

Conor McGregor Sends a word of warning to UFC Champ Islam Makhachev at boxing event in Dubai

Conor McGregor had a message for reigning UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev. The Irishman was in Dubai over the…

Conor McGregor had a message for reigning UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev.

The Irishman was in Dubai over the weekend to take part in the IBA Champions’ Night event. As it turns out, Makhachev was also in attendance, sitting directly across from the Irishman.

During the evening’s festivities, McGregor entered the ring for a somewhat awkward, yet mostly jovial face-off with former bantamweight king Petr Yan. But first, ‘The Notorious’ did a little dancing around the squared circle before shouting a comment that was clearly aimed toward the seat Makhachev was occupying.

“You know me,” McGregor shouted. “I’m ready to go anywhere. Here and now, I’m ready.”

Islam Makhachev Expects Conor McGregor to crawl back into retirement after a loss to Michael chandler

McGregor has taken the periodical shot at the ‘Dagestani Destroyer’ on social media and in interviews since Makhachev claimed the 155-pound crown last year, but it’s not something the champ appears to be overly concerned with. In fact, he’s already convinced that the Irishman will take his ball and go home should he come up short in his highly anticipated return against former Bellator MMA champion Michael Chandler next year.

“It’s a good fight for MMA fans, but if [Michael] Chandler wins, [McGregor] is going to retire for sure,” Makhachev said at a press event earlier this year. “Make some good money and that’s it. But Chandler, so smart guy, because I saw his last couple fights, he fights like crazy, like he comes from the street.

“But now I understand why he did this, because if he beat [Dustin] Poirier and [Justin] Gaethje, this fight never happens. But the last four fights, they have same streak, they lose three times, that’s why this fight is happening. And for Conor, he chooses a good way too. He chooses small guy, 170 [pounds], and finally someone is going to win” (h/t MMA Fighting).

Do you think we ever see Conor McGregor and Islam Makhachev mix it up inside the Octagon?

Islam Makhachev shuts down Charles Oliveira fight: ‘This guy thinks he deserves a rematch with me?’

Undisputed lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev has firmly put the brakes on a title fight rematch with ex-titleholder, Charles Oliveira…

Undisputed lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev has firmly put the brakes on a title fight rematch with ex-titleholder, Charles Oliveira – mocking the Brazilian’s call for a re-run for gold, poking fun at his prior win over the Sao Paulo favorite.

Makhachev, the current undisputed lightweight champion and pound-for-pound number one on the UFC’s books, most recently headlined UFC 294 back in October in Abu Dhabi, UAE – landing a dominant first round high-kick knockout win over Alexander Volkanovski in the pair’s short-notice rematch.

Initially, Makhachev was slated to headline that card in the Middle East against Oliveira, until a nasty laceration above the Brazilian’s eyebrow ruled him from the pay-per-view card.

Fighting Makhachev in a vacant lightweight title fight at UFC 280 in October of last year, Oliveira dropped a second round arm-triangle submission loss, seeing his division-best undefeated run come to a crashing halt.

Islam Makhachev rules out rematch with Charles Oliveira

And despite staking his claim for a reworked title fight rematch with Makhachev – potentially next year at the very earliest, Makhachev has overnight cast doubt on a re-run, mocking the Brazilian’s prior stoppage loss.

“This guy thinks he deserve rematch with me?” Islam Makhachev posted on his official X account, accompanied by a picture of Charles Oliveira in the immediate aftermath of his stoppage loss at UFC 280.

And providing an update on his fighting future off the back of his knockout win over Australian favorite, Volkanovski two months ago, Makhachev claimed he would like the opportunity to fight former interim champion and current symbolic BMF titleholder, Justin Gaethje – as soon as UFC 299 in May of next year in Miami, Florida.
“To be honest, I’ve already told I’m not that interested in rematches,” Islam Makhachev told Ushatayka. “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].”

Do you expect Islam Makhachev to fight Charles Oliveira again?

Islam Makhachev axes rematch fight with Charles Oliveira, plans Justin Gaethje title clash at UFC 299 in Miami

Earmarked to fight former foe and prior undisputed lightweight champion, Charles Oliveira in a championship rematch in his return…

Earmarked to fight former foe and prior undisputed lightweight champion, Charles Oliveira in a championship rematch in his return to the Octagon, current gold holder, Islam Makhachev has suggested a pairing with former interim titleholder, Justin Gaethje instead, eyeing a comeback at UFC 299 in March in Miami, Florida.

Makhachev, the current undisputed lightweight champion and current pound-for-pound number one ranked fighter, most recently headlined UFC 294 back in October in Abu Dhabi, UAE, landing a one-sided rematch win over Alexander Volkanovski, stopping the Australian with a brutal first round high-kick knockout.

Initially scheduled to feature in a main event bout against Sao Paulo favorite, Oliveira in a championship rematch, Makhachev saw the pairing shelved after the Brazilian suffered a nasty laceration above his right eyebrow ahead of the clash.

Islam Makhachev eyes Justin Gaethje fight at UFC 299

And receiving a recent call out from UFC Austin main event winner, Arman Tsarukyan in a championship rematch, Makhachev has ruled out a fight with the Armenian or Oliveira next, instead mentioning a return at UFC 299 in Miami, in a clash against Arizona native, Gaethje.“To be honest, I’ve already told I’m not that interested in rematches,” Islam Makhachev told Ushatayka. “Because if you want to win someone in a good way, you have to add new names.”

Gaethje, a former interim lightweight champion and current symbolic BMF championship holder, headlined UFC 291 back in July most recently, landing a spectacular second round high-kick knockout win over fellow former interim gold holder, Dustin Poirier in the pair’s long-awaited rematch.

Who wins in a potential fight at UFC 299 in Miami: Islam Makhachev or Justin Gaethje?