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Lightweight champion Islam Makhachev Sidelined until March Amid Rumors of a Return at UFC 297

Despite recent reports claiming that Islam Makhachev would headline UFC 297 in January, the reigning UFC lightweight world champion…

Despite recent reports claiming that Islam Makhachev would headline UFC 297 in January, the reigning UFC lightweight world champion is not expected to return to the Octagon until March at the earliest.

Following his first-round knockout of Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 294 last month, fight fans were hoping to see Islam Makhachev make a quick turnaround to defend his title against his originally scheduled opponent, Charles Oliviera, or current BMF titleholder Justin Gaethje. Unfortunately, that no longer appears to be the case.

After rumors surfaced that the ‘Dagestani Destroyer’ would defend his title against ‘Do Bronx’ at the promotion’s first pay-per-view of 2024, Makhachev’s manager Ali Abdelaziz revealed that his fighter won’t be ready to defend until March.

“Makhachev’s manager @AliAbdelaziz00 tells ESPN he has informed the UFC the earliest Makhachev will be ready to defend his title is March 9,” Okamoto wrote on X.

In a follow-up post, Okamoto added that, according to Dana White, Makhachev will not headline UFC 297 in January as previously reported. “Islam Makhachev vs. Charles Oliveira 2 will not headline UFC 297 next month in Toronto, per Dana White. As of now, Oliveira does appear to be the most likely 155 challenger, although White tells ESPN, ‘Anything is possible, it’s whenever both are ready.’”

Makhachev's manager @AliAbdelaziz00 tells ESPN he has informed the UFC the earliest Makhachev will be ready to defend his title is March 9.

— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) November 5, 2023

There were eight months between Islam Makhachev’s back-to-back title defenses against Alexander Volkanovski.

Charles Oliveira Ready to Even the Odds with Islam Makhachev

Makhachev was expecting to defend his title against Charles Oliveira at UFC 294, but after suffering a cut above his right eye while sparring, ‘Do Bronx’ was forced to bow out of the bout, paving the way for Volkanovski to step in on just 11 days’ notice.

Oliveira has not returned to training as of yet but was all for making his return in January with the hopes of becoming a two-time lightweight champion after surrendering the title to Makhachev at UFC 280 last year. It sounds like the promotion’s most prolific finisher will still get his opportunity, but he’ll have to wait just a little bit longer to try and cash in on the long-awaited rematch.

“You’ll see the Charles you always see, always going forward, always going for the submission, for the knockout, going for the win,” Oliveira said backstage following the UFC’s return to Sao Paulo on Saturday. “I want to be champion. I want to be the next champion. That’s what I want.”

Dana White: Islam Makhachev vs. Charles Oliveira 2 Won’t Headline UFC 297 amid Rumors

A rematch between Islam Makhachev and Charles Oliveira will not not headline Toronto’s UFC 297 in January, Dana White told ESPN’s Brett Okamoto on Sunday.…

Breaking – Dana White denies Islam Makhachev – Charles Oliveira title fight rematch will headline UFC 297 in January

Despite an initial report overnight claiming a planned lightweight title fight rematch between defending champion, Islam Makhachev, and former…

Despite an initial report overnight claiming a planned lightweight title fight rematch between defending champion, Islam Makhachev, and former divisional gold holder, Charles Oliveira would headline UFC 297 on January 20. from Toronto, Canada, promotional boss, Dana White has claimed those reports are firmly wide of the mark.

Last night, Ariel Helwani reported how a lightweight championship fight between Makhachev and rival, Oliveira is currently planned to take main event honors at UFC 297 in January of next year – with an initially earmarked featherweight title fight between Alexander Volkanovski, and Ilia Topuria subsequently pushed a month later to UFC 298 in February.

However, Makhachev’s manager, Dominance MMA leader, Ali Abdelaziz rubbished those reports from Helwani, describing them as inaccurate.

Dana White denis Islam Makhachev x Charles Oliveira 2 will feature at UFC 297

And this evening, as per ESPN reporter, Brett Okamoto, UFC CEO, White has informed him how Makhachev and Oliveira will not be featuring next January at UFC 297 in ‘The Great White North’.

“Islam Makhachev vs. Charles Oliveira 2 will not headline UFC 297 next month (sic) in Toronto, per Dana White,’ Okamoto posted on his official X account. “As of now, Oliveira does appear to be most likely 155 (pound) (title) challenger, although White tells ESPN, “Anything is possible, it’s whenever both are ready.”

“Makhachev’s manager @AliAbdelaziz00 tells ESPN he has informed the UFC the earliest Makhachev will be ready to defend his title is March 9.”

Islam Makhachev vs. Charles Oliveira 2 will not headline UFC 297 next month in Toronto, per Dana White.

As of now, Oliveira does appear to be the most likely 155 challenger, although White tells ESPN, 'Anything is possible, it's whenever both are ready.'

— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) November 5, 2023

Scheduled to headline UFC 294 last month in a championship rematch with Makhachev, Sao Paulo finishing ace, Oliveira was forced out of the title bout in Abu Dhabi, UAE – after he suffered a nasty laceration over his right eye during the final sparring session of his training camp.

In October of last year, Makhachev minted himself as the undisputed lightweight champion, landing the vacant crown with a stunning second round arm-triangle submission win over the above-mentioned, Oliveira in the Middle East.

Who wins in a future title rematch: Islam Makhachev or Charles Oliveira?

Breaking – Islam Makhachev targeted to rematch Charles Oliveira in title fight at UFC 297 in January

An undisputed lightweight championship fight rematch between division champion, Islam Makhachev, and former champion, current number one ranked challenger,…

An undisputed lightweight championship fight rematch between division champion, Islam Makhachev, and former champion, current number one ranked challenger, Charles Oliveira is currently in the works to headline UFC 297 on January 20. in Toronto, Canada.

Makhachev, the current undisputed lightweight champion, was scheduled to headline UFC 294 just last month in Abu Dhabi, UAE against rival, Oliveira, until a nasty laceration suffered by the Brazilian above his right eye forced the cancellation of the set rematch.

Replacing Oliveira, featherweight champion, Alexander Volkanovski faced Makhachev in his own title rematch, suffering a spectacular first round high-kick and follow-up strikes knockout loss to the Russian.

Sidelined since he rebounded to the winner’s enclosure back in June, former champion, Oliveira snapped his winless run in Canada, landing a stunning first round ground strikes TKO win over perennial contender, Beneil Dariush.

Islam Makhachev x Charles Oliveira 2 in the works for UFC 297

And according to a report tonight from Ariel Helwani, the current plan is to pit Islam Makhachev and Charles Oliveira in a championship rematch atop UFC 297 in January of next year.

“The current plan – though not finalized just yet – is to have Islam Makhachev x Charles Oliveira 2 – headline UFC 297,” Helwani posted on his official X account. “That event, while not officially announced yet, is currently slated to Jan. 20 in Toronto. The original plan for that main was Volkanovski x Topuria, but now the plan is for that to be on the February PPV.”

The current plan – though not finalized just yet – is to have Islam Makhachev x Charles Oliveira 2 – headline UFC 297. That event, while not officially announced yet, is currently slated to Jan. 20 in Toronto.

The original plan for that main was Volkanovski x Topuria, but now…

— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) November 4, 2023

Last night, reports also revealed how a vacant bantamweight championship fight between former title challenger, Raquel Pennington, and Mayra Bueno Silva has been added to the same UFC 297 pay-per-view card in ‘The Great White North’.

First clashing back in October of last year at UFC 280, Makhachev snapped Oliveira’s division-best winning streak in the pair’s vacant lightweight title fight, landing the divisional crown with a stunning second round arm-triangle submission win in the Middle East.

Who wins at UFC 297 in Canada: Islam Makhachev or Charles Oliveira?

Islam Makhachev opens as massive betting favorite to beat Justin Gaethje in future UFC title fight

Off the back of his stunning victory at UFC 294 last month, undisputed lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev has opened…

Off the back of his stunning victory at UFC 294 last month, undisputed lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev has opened as a massive betting favorite to successfully defend his championship in a potential fight with former interim champion, Justin Gaethje in the future.

Makhachev, the undisputed lightweight champion under the banner of the organization, headlined UFC 294 last month in a reworked main event clash with featherweight champion, Alexander Volkanovski, stopping the Australian with a stunning first round high-kick knockout in the pair’s title rematch.

The Russian was initially scheduled to headline the Abu Dhabi, UAE event against former titleholder, Charles Oliveira in a title rematch, however, a nasty laceration suffered by the Brazilian just 10 days’ out from the bout forced the Sao Paulo finisher from his championship rematch with Islam Makhachev.

As for Gaethje, the former interim lightweight champion, and recently minted symbolic BMF championship winner, headlined UFC 291 back in July in Salt Lake City, turned in a spectacular, earth-shattering second round high-kick knockout win of his own over fellow former interim champion, Dustin Poirier in the pair’s re-run.

Islam Makhachev opens as betting favorite to beat Justin Gaethje

And despite links to a rescheduled title fight with Oliveira in his next Octagon walk, Makhachev has opened as a staggering -600 betting favorite to defeat the above-mentioned, Gaethje, who sits as a +425 betting underdog – having staked his claim for a fight for gold with the former.

A slew of betting sites and markets are already offering odds and accepting bouts on a potential future title fight between Makhachev, and Gaethje – and hopeful punters can check the proven casinos with high payouts when determining which bookie to slap their bets and punts on.

Yet to land the pound-for-pound number one slot despite his dominant rematch knockout win over Volkanovski back in October, American Kickboxing Academy staple, Makhachev has questioned what more he should need to do in order to land atop the promotional pile and knock heavyweight champion, Jon Jones from his perch.

As for Gaethje, the long-time Trevor Wittmann striking ace has yet to crack undisputed lightweight gold under the banner of the UFC, having previously failed in an effort to unify the titles against Makhachev’s mentor, coach, and close friend, Khabib Nurmagomedov back in 2020 on ‘Fight Island’ in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

Heralded for his fan-friendly approach to fighting, Gaethje has turned in two impressive victories this year en route to the top of the lightweight pile once more – halting the roughshod run of Rafael Fiziev through the rans in a hard-fought majority decision win back in March – before his stoppage of Poirier.

Backed by many to provide a stern challenge to Makhachev amid the Russian’s dominant run, Gaethje has been picked to potentially upset the defending champion – possibly even lodging a knockout win, by head coach, Tim Welch.

“Gaethje’s a different dude – Khabib said he knew that Justin got there [late], and he’s through that time travel multiple ties. He knew that was just gonna ruin him. This Gaethje now, versus Islam in Vegas or something. I wouldn’t be that surprised if Gaethje knocked him out.”

Who wins in a future title fight: Islam Makhachev or Justin Gaethje?

Justin Gaethje picked to stop Islam Makhachev in UFC title fight: ‘I wouldn’t be surprised if he knocked him out’

Continually staking his claim for an undisputed UFC lightweight title fight with Islam Makahchev following the Russian’s dominant victory…

Continually staking his claim for an undisputed UFC lightweight title fight with Islam Makahchev following the Russian’s dominant victory last month in Abu Dhabi, former interim titleholder, Justin Gaethje has been backed to even knock out the defending champion by mixed martial arts head coach, Tim Welch, if he lands the fight.

Gaethje, a former interim lightweight champion under the banner of the UFC, most recently landed the symbolic BMF title back in July in the main event of UFC 291, landing a second round high-kick KO win over fellow former interim champion, Dustin Poirier in the pair’s rematch.

As for Makhachev, the incumbent lightweight champion defended his crown back in October atop UFC 294 in the Middle East, landing a first round high-kick knockout win of his own in a short-notice rematch with undisputed featherweight champion, Alexander Volkanovski.

Maintaining he would likely sit out for over a year in order to secure a fresh title fight with Makhachev – whom is expected to fight former champion, Charles Oliveira in a rematch next year, Gaethje questioned who else he should fight to earn his title affair.

“Who do I fight?” Justin Gaethje asked. “There’s no one. I did what I had to do. I don’t know what else I need to do.”

“If they [the UFC] want to put (Charles) Oliveira in there, then I fight him (Islam Makhachev) in September,” Justin Gaethje explained. “I have no issues waiting. Again, as I get older, I get to understand from now until the time I’m gonna fight him I’m gonna be building strength. I’m gonna be working on my cardio, I’m gonna be refining my skills. So, I’ll have as much time as they give me and I’ll be that much more ready.”

Justin Gaethje picked to potentially KO Islam Makhachev in title fight

However, as per the above-mentioned, Welch, head coach to undisputed bantamweight champion, Sean O’Malley – Gaethje could actually have the kryptonite to defeat Makhachev, potentially by knockout to boot.

“Everyone thinks Justin Gaethje would get ran through,” Welch said on his podcast with O’Malley. “I don’t think he would, dude – because they talk about Gaethje, when he fought Khabib (Nurmagoemdov), he got there [Abu Dhabi] 10 days before that fight and just everything was wrong.”

Do you want to see Justin Gaethje challenge Islam Makhachev next year?