Welcome to MMA News today, a new daily feature running down the most interesting stories in the world of mixed martial arts. For February 10, 2023: Islam Makhachev: Conor McGregor ‘smart’ to pick Michael Chandler as opponent Islam Makhachev…
Welcome to MMA News today, a new daily feature running down the most interesting stories in the world of mixed martial arts. For February 10, 2023: Islam Makhachev: Conor McGregor ‘smart’ to pick Michael Chandler as opponent Islam Makhachev was a guest on the Daniel Cormier Check-In interview ahead of the UFC 284 super fight…
Ali Abdelaziz didn’t hold back in his admiration for Movsar Evloev, even declaring him to be on par with several UFC icons. Evloev was supposed to square off against former bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling on the UFC 307 main card, scheduled for October 5 at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. However, on […]
I believe God has a plan and is protecting me to give my best for @MovsarUFC. I need all my tools for an opponent like Movsar and hopefully he’s willing to fight me when I’m healed up. Thank you to the @UFC medical team for looking out for my health and protecting me from myself.… pic.twitter.com/9nJVf14mew
The UFC has yet to officially confirm the cancellation, but Evloev has made it clear on social media that he’s been putting in the work for this fight. He’s even expressed his readiness to take on a short-notice opponent.
The 30-year-old Russian has been unstoppable since making his UFC debut in April 2019, where he announced his arrival with a commanding unanimous decision victory over SeungWoo Choi. Evloev has racked up eight consecutive victories inside the Octagon, all via decision. He has secured notable wins along the way, including victories over Dan Ige, Hakeem Dawodu, Diego Lopes, and, most recently, Arnold Allen at UFC 297 this past January.
Abdelaziz, who only began managing Evloev last month, is confident that the American Top Team standout has the potential to ascend to the same level of greatness as UFC Hall of Famer Khabib Nurmagomedov, reigning lightweight champion Islam Makhachev, and former welterweight titleholder Kamaru Usman.
Abdelaziz Predicts Evloev Will Capture UFC Featherweight Gold By 2025
During a recent interview with TMZSports, Abdelaziz opened up about Evloev’s relatively sparse appearances in the Octagon. The Dominance MMA founder expressed his commitment to working closely with the UFC to ensure his new client stays more active.
He emphasized that if frequent competition is what it takes for Evloev to earn his shot at the title, he’s fully prepared to make that happen.
“I believe that he should fight again in December or January,” Abdelaziz said. “I want to keep him busy. It doesn’t matter—Khabib had to beat 10 guys to fight for the title, same with Islam and Kamaru. If this is the route the UFC wants, he needs to just smash everyone ahead of him and show why the UFC has no choice but to give him a title shot. And guess what? He’s willing to fight anybody, anywhere, anytime. But the key here is to keep him busy against anybody, and this is what’s gonna happen.”
Abdelaziz further added that he recently trained with Evloev and described him as one of the most dedicated fighters he’s ever encountered. The renowned MMA manager even likened the Russian’s work ethic to that of Nurmagomedov, Makhachev, and Usman.
“I had the pleasure to train with [Evloev], and he’s one of the strongest guys I’ve ever trained with. He’s dedicated—this guy sleeps at a certain time, eats specific food, and lives and breathes fighting. I truly believe that by 2025, Movsar is going to be the featherweight champion. I believe he’s a very hard puzzle to solve and very hard to beat. The abilities he has, the discipline he has, remind me of Khabib, Islam, and Kamaru. He’s on the same level—how these guys live, how they walk, how they talk, how they train.”
It almost seemed written in the stars that after Khabib Nurmagomedov retired on top of the lightweight division, Islam Makhachev would take over in his place. What wasn’t predictable at the time was that Makhachev would go on to be arguably the best fighter in the sport today. The current lightweight champion has been so […]
What wasn’t predictable at the time was that Makhachev would go on to be arguably the best fighter in the sport today.
The current lightweight champion has been so impressive since winning the belt at UFC 280 that it has led to the conversation of whether he’s better than “The Eagle” ever was.
Another big question is whether Makhachev will ever be able to overtake his close friend’s legacy after Nurmagomedov retired with an undefeated record of 29-0.
Though there isn’t competition between them, the 32-year old was always going to have high expectations hanging over him.
John Kavanagh Outlines How Islam Makhachev Can Potentially Overtake Khabib Nurmagomedov
Though Makhachev doesn’t have the option of beating Nurmagomedov’s undefeated run, there are ways that he can accomplish feats that the former champion didn’t.
In a recent interview with Islam Babadzhanov, John Kavanagh gave his take on if and how Makhachev can pull out in front of “The Eagle”.
The long-time coach of Conor McGregor at SBG Ireland also pointed to the lightweight champion adding a second belt to his collection which Nurmagomedov never had the option to do.
“Wow. I’m sure there is [a chance for him to outdo Khabib] but it’s hard. You know, Khabib had obviously such a fantastic run. Maybe Islam can do a ‘champ champ’ and go up some weight classes. We will see.”
Bellator lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov is proud to work alongside Khabib Nurmagomedov, even as his former coach is retiring from MMA. In a press conference, Usman explained: “Khabib is my brother, he’s my cousin. He’s not just my coach, he’s my brother. We’re a family.” Even though Dagestan’s Khabib has retired from MMA coaching, he […]
Bellator lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov is proud to work alongside Khabib Nurmagomedov, even as his former coach is retiring from MMA. In a press conference, Usman explained:
“Khabib is my brother, he’s my cousin. He’s not just my coach, he’s my brother. We’re a family.”
Even though Dagestan’s Khabib has retired from MMA coaching, he still remains somewhat active as he will continue to work with Usman Nurmagomedov. Earlier this year at Bellator 288, Usman picked up the Bellator crown when he defeated Patricky Pitbull via unanimous decision.
Russia’s Khabib Nurmagomedov retired in 2020 with an unblemished 29-0 record. He then took a more active role in coaching, which he recently announced he would be quitting from this soon. Dagestan’s Usman says that Khabib is still active with his career.
When asked if he would retire young like Khabib, Usman Nurmagomedov answered that he was not sure as he is still quite young. He said:
“I’m still hungry, I’m still young.”
Usman Nurmagomedov vs Benson Henderson
At Bellator 292 in March of this year, Usman will meet former UFC champion Benson Henderson as part of the Lightweight Grand Prix. In discussing this matchup, Usman said:
“He’s a legend, brother. Good experience for me. I will be ready.”
Benson Henderson held the WEC and UFC world titles respectively in 2010 and 2012. The US-born athlete would subsequently lose both titles to Anthony Pettis in separate bouts. ‘Smooth’ Henderson has been active as a Bellator fighter since 2016. While he has competed for titles in the organization he cannot yet add Bellator world champion to his name, though this may change in March.
Alexander Volkanovski feels Khabib Nurmagomedov’s corner absence at UFC 284 won’t impact Islam Makhachev at all on fight night. Volkanovski will face Nurmagomedov’s protégé Makhachev in the UFC 284 headliner on February 11th. He’…
Alexander Volkanovski feels Khabib Nurmagomedov’s corner absence at UFC 284 won’t impact Islam Makhachev at all on fight night. Volkanovski will face Nurmagomedov’s protégé Makhachev in the UFC 284 headliner on February 11th. He’s looking to become the latest UFC ‘champ-champ’ by earning the lightweight title. Makhachev capped off his remarkable run at lightweight with…
UFC lightweight contender, Michael Chandler has shared his thoughts on the conversation regarding the better division champion between former gold holder, Khabib Nurmagomedov, and recently minted titleholder, Islam Makhachev – ahead of the latter’s UFC 284 headliner in two weeks’ time. Chandler, the current #5 ranked lightweight contender, has yet to book his next Octagon […]
UFC lightweight contender, Michael Chandler has shared his thoughts on the conversation regarding the better division champion between former gold holder, Khabib Nurmagomedov, and recently minted titleholder, Islam Makhachev – ahead of the latter’s UFC 284 headliner in two weeks’ time.
Chandler, the current #5 ranked lightweight contender, has yet to book his next Octagon outing following UFC 281 back in November of last year at Madison Square Garden – suffering a third round rear-naked choke loss to former interim champion, Dustin Poirier.
As for Khabib, the former undisputed lightweight champion retired from active competition back in 2020 – boasting a 29-0 record following a successful title unification win over Justin Gaethje.
And as for Khabib’s protégé, Makhachev, the American Kickboxing Academy staple managed to clinch the vacant lightweight crown back in October against Charles Oliveira. And is slated to headline UFC 284 this month in Perth, Australia – tackling featherweight champion, Alexander Volkanovski in his first attempted title defense.
Michael Chandler breaks down the comparisons between Khabib and Islam
Breaking down the abilities of both during a recent appearance on Believe You Me, Chandler admitted that while Makhachev is a force to be reckoned with, Khabib brought a gritty and nasty side to his Octagon performance en route to his championship reign – touting him as the better overall fighter.
“Khabib (Nurmagomedov) [is better],” Michael Chandler said. “Only because we haven’t seen – I don’t know if I wanna call it aggression. I think it is aggression. When Khabib fought, and when he bear-hugged somebody, it was aggressive. Like, he wanted to break your spine. Islam (Makhachev), very effective, will take you guys down. But [with Khabib], it was like, ‘I wanna break your spine.’”
“Khabib was very active on top, constantly trying to catch a wrist and do damage,” Michael Chandler explained. “He went from [a] brilliant wrestler, ‘I wanna break your back,’ to like, straight up sledgehammer, ‘I wanna punch a hole through your head,’ while trash talking – that is unheard of.” (Transcribed by MMA News)
Bellator lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov is proud to work alongside Khabib Nurmagomedov, even as his former coach is retiring from MMA. In a press conference, Usman explained: “Khabib is my brother, he’s my cousin. He’s not just my coach, he’s my brother. We’re a family.” Even though Dagestan’s Khabib has retired from MMA coaching, he […]
UFC lightweight contender, Michael Chandler has shared his thoughts on the conversation regarding the better division champion between former gold holder, Khabib Nurmagomedov, and recently minted titleholder, Islam Makhachev – ahead of the latter’s UFC 284 headliner in two weeks’ time. Chandler, the current #5 ranked lightweight contender, has yet to book his next Octagon […]