Max Holloway Teases Interest In Facing UFC Champ Islam Makhachev

Max Holloway may still have unfinished business to settle in the UFC’s lightweight division. Holloway is gearing up to challenge reigning featherweight champion Ilia Topuria in the main event of UFC 308, set to take place this Saturday at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Holloway stunned the MMA world with a […]

Continue Reading Max Holloway Teases Interest In Facing UFC Champ Islam Makhachev at MMA News.

Max Holloway may still have unfinished business to settle in the UFC’s lightweight division.

Holloway is gearing up to challenge reigning featherweight champion Ilia Topuria in the main event of UFC 308, set to take place this Saturday at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Holloway stunned the MMA world with a last-second knockout of Justin Gaethje at UFC 300 in April, making a strong argument for a shot at the lightweight title. However, divisional champion Islam Makhachev hadn’t considered the new BMF titleholder as a potential challenger at the time.

That said, Makhachev seems open to the idea — if “Blessed” can convincingly take down Topuria in their upcoming bout.

During a recent interview with Demetrious Johnson, Holloway discussed his choice to return to the featherweight division following his victory over Gaethje. The Hawaiian revealed that his return to 145 pounds might be a short-term decision and that he could potentially face Makhachev next year.

“Blessed” stated that going up against Makhachev would be akin to facing UFC Hall of Famer Khabib Nurmagomedov, calling it a significant opportunity that could further elevate his already storied career.

Makhachev is riding high after his third successful lightweight title defense, having secured a submission victory over Dustin Poirier at UFC 302 in June. The Dagestani is anticipated to face Arman Tsarukyan, likely at UFC 311 next year, although no official announcement has been made by the promotion as of yet.

Continue Reading Max Holloway Teases Interest In Facing UFC Champ Islam Makhachev at MMA News.

Dan Hooker expects ‘Punishment’ for IV use claims against UFC rival Islam Makhachev

Dan HookerDan Hooker expects to be punished by the UFC after accusing Islam Makhachev of using an IV to aid in his UFC 284 recovery. Makhachev, the promotion’s reigning lightweight champion, earned a unanimous decision victory over 145-pound titleholder Alexander Volkanovski in a closely-contested superfight last month. While some fans believe ‘The Great’ did enough to […]

Dan Hooker

Dan Hooker expects to be punished by the UFC after accusing Islam Makhachev of using an IV to aid in his UFC 284 recovery.

Makhachev, the promotion’s reigning lightweight champion, earned a unanimous decision victory over 145-pound titleholder Alexander Volkanovski in a closely-contested superfight last month. While some fans believe ‘The Great’ did enough to leave Perth a double champion, the real controversy came after the fight when Volkanovski’s City Kickboxing teammate Dan Hooker accused Makhachev of hiring a nurse to administer an IV as part of his post-weigh in recovery.

Dan Hooker Doesn’t Care if the UFC Punishes Him

After making accusations on Twitter, Dan Hooker spoke with The AllStar’s John Hyon Ko to reiterate his suspicion. However, ‘The Hangman’ doesn’t anticipate the UFC or USADA taking any action against Makhachev. In fact, Hooker believes that he will likely be the recipient of punishment from the promotion for publicly accusing the lightweight champion of cheating.

“The UFC don’t care and USADA don’t care,” Hooker said. “Why do you think I’m the guy that come out and said something? I don’t care. You don’t think that I know there are gonna be consequences for what I said? You don’t think I’m gonna be punished for what I said? I just don’t care.

“Do I think that the UFC is gonna punish me in some way? Yeah, I’m sure they will. I’m sure they’ll give me tough matchups — whoop-dee-doo,” Hooker continued. “Ask the last 10 blokes I fought, they’re all tough matchups. Bring it on. You wanna give me tough matchups? Give me tough matchups… I’m not gonna blatantly see one of my teammates cheated out of a world title and not say anything.”

While IV usage is not expressly prohibited, the USADA rules stipulate that intravenous infusions and injections are prohibited both in-competition and out-of-competition if the volume of the substance exceeds 100 milliliters within a 12-hour period.

Islam Makhachev was quick to respond to Dan Hooker’s accusations on Twitter saying, “You must be held accountable for such accusations.”

Transcription courtesy of MMA News

Dan Hooker Claims He’s Had Increased USADA Visits Since Accusation Against Islam Makhachev

UFC lightweight Dan Hooker recently claimed that he’s been receiving increased visits from USADA since he accused Islam Makhachev of ‘cheating’ prior to his win over Alexander Volkanovski. While the UFC 284 pay-per-view in Perth, Aust…

UFC lightweight Dan Hooker recently claimed that he’s been receiving increased visits from USADA since he accused Islam Makhachev of ‘cheating’ prior to his win over Alexander Volkanovski. While the UFC 284 pay-per-view in Perth, Australia, last month concluded with a headliner that was widely praised for its entertaining and enthralling nature, the discussion since…

Continue Reading Dan Hooker Claims He’s Had Increased USADA Visits Since Accusation Against Islam Makhachev at MMA News.

Chael Sonnen Blasts “Scumbag” Nurse Amid Islam Makhachev I.V. Controversy

Former UFC Middleweight Championship challenger Chael Sonnen recently made some bold statements regarding Islam Makhachev. At UFC 284, Makhachev retained his UFC Lightweight Championship via unanimous decision against Featherweight Champion Alexander V…

Former UFC Middleweight Championship challenger Chael Sonnen recently made some bold statements regarding Islam Makhachev. At UFC 284, Makhachev retained his UFC Lightweight Championship via unanimous decision against Featherweight Champion Alexander Volkanovski. The main event has since become mired by controversy due to the Dagestani star’s alleged I.V. use prior to the fight. Both UFC…

Continue Reading Chael Sonnen Blasts “Scumbag” Nurse Amid Islam Makhachev I.V. Controversy at MMA News.

Paddy Pimblett claims Islam Makhachev was ‘Hanging on for dear life’ at UFC 284, scored fight a draw

Paddy Pimblett UFC 284 Islam MakhachevPromotional-perfect UFC lightweight contender, Paddy Pimblett has claimed division champion, Islam Makahchev was “hanging on for dear life” in his UFC 284 title fight against featherweight kingpin, Alexander Volkanovski, maintaining the fight likely should have been scored a draw.  Pimblett, a former undisputed Cage Warriors featherweight champion, most recently co-headlined UFC 282 back in December […]

Paddy Pimblett UFC 284 Islam Makhachev

Promotional-perfect UFC lightweight contender, Paddy Pimblett has claimed division champion, Islam Makahchev was “hanging on for dear life” in his UFC 284 title fight against featherweight kingpin, Alexander Volkanovski, maintaining the fight likely should have been scored a draw. 

Pimblett, a former undisputed Cage Warriors featherweight champion, most recently co-headlined UFC 282 back in December against Queens native, Jared Gordon, moving to 4-0 in the promotion with a close, debated unanimous decision victory of his own

The victory came off the back of a trio of prior UFC finishes for Paddy Pimblett, after he secured consecutive submission stoppages of Jordan Leavitt, and Kazula Vargas – to go with a debut knockout success against Luigi Vendramini. 

Headlining this month’s pay-per-view event in Perth, Australia – Makhachev managed to successfully defend his lightweight crown at the first time of asking, defeating featherweight champion, Volkanovski in a close, competitive unanimous decision win of his own. 

Paddy Pimblett claims Islam Makhachev just about survived at UFC 284

Sharing his thoughts on the close nature of the fight, Pimblett claimed Makhachev was “hanging on for dear life” in the final round against Volkanovski.

I thought it was a draw,” Paddy Pimblett told MMA Junkie during a recent interview. “I thoight the last round was a 10-8 for Volk (Alexander Volkanovski), and he’d won one other round. But Islam (Makhachev) won three rounds with control. He didn’t do much when he had the control but if someone’s on your back, you’re losing. Even if you’re talking to them and punching them. I personally thought it was a draw, ‘cause [in] that last round Makhachev was hanging on for dear life.” (Transcribed by Sportskeeda

Off the back of his first organizational loss, Volkanovski has been linked with both an immediate lightweight title rematch with Makhachev, however, UFC president, Dana White has floated a featherweight title unification fight with Yair Rodríguez for the Australian first and foremost.

Bruce Buffer: UFC 284 Was A “Dominating Loss” For Alexander Volkanovski

UFC ring announcer Bruce Buffer has suggested a unique way to describe Alexander Volkanovski’s performance against Islam Makhachev at UFC 284. The highly-anticipated champion-versus-champion matchup was set up immediately after the conclusion of UFC 28…

UFC ring announcer Bruce Buffer has suggested a unique way to describe Alexander Volkanovski’s performance against Islam Makhachev at UFC 284. The highly-anticipated champion-versus-champion matchup was set up immediately after the conclusion of UFC 280, which saw Islam Makhachev claim the promotion’s lightweight title by submitting Charles Oliveira. Volkanovski was in attendance for that fight…

Continue Reading Bruce Buffer: UFC 284 Was A “Dominating Loss” For Alexander Volkanovski at MMA News.