Tag: UFC 280

Dana White reacts to Khamzat Chimaev, Abubakar Nurmagomedov scuffle at UFC 280: ‘It happens’

Khamzat ChimaevUFC president, Dana White maintains he was unaware of undefeated welterweight contender, Khamzat Chimaev’s attendance at UFC 280 at the Etihad Arena last night prior to his appearance. And insists his physical scuffle with Abubakar Nurmagomedov is just something that comes with the nature of associating with the Chechen-born finisher. Attending UFC 280 last night […]

Khamzat Chimaev

UFC president, Dana White maintains he was unaware of undefeated welterweight contender, Khamzat Chimaev’s attendance at UFC 280 at the Etihad Arena last night prior to his appearance. And insists his physical scuffle with Abubakar Nurmagomedov is just something that comes with the nature of associating with the Chechen-born finisher.

Attending UFC 280 last night on ‘Fight Island’ in Abu Dhabi, UAE alongside Ali Kadyrov – the son of Chechen warlord, Ramzan Kadyrov, Chimaev was involved in a post-event scuffle with Abubakar Nurmagomedov – the cousin of former UFC lightweight champion, Khabib Nurmagomedov.

Engaging in a conversation with Nurmagomedov during event headliner, Islam Makhachev’s post-fight victory interview following a submission win over Charles Oliveira, Chimaev struck Nurmagomedov in the face with a closed fist, before security and officials corralled the duo.

Dana White remains unsurprised with Khamzat Chimaev’s extracurricular skirmishes

Speaking on Chimaev’s involvement in yet another physical altercation outside of the Octagon, UFC head honcho, White claimed that was the risk of dealing with a fighter such as the AllStars MMA staple.

“What do I even say about that?” Dana White told assembled media following UFC 280. “It happens, especially with him [Khamzat Chimaev]. It happens.”

“He (Khamzat Chimaev) was sitting on our side (of the Octagon on fighter row),” White explained. “I didn’t even know Khamzat was coming tonight. He was invited by Abu Dhabi. So the seats behind me here in Abu Dhabi are owned by Abu Dhabi.” 

Most recently competing at UFC 279 in an impromptu co-headlining slot against Kevin Holland, Chimaev improved to 12-0 as a professional courtesy of a D’Arce choke win, however, was involved in a pre-fight physical altercation with the Riverside native on Thursday during fight week.

In the hours following Chimaev’s physical interaction with Nurmagomedov, the above-mentioned Kadyrov, who has been sanctioned by the United States government, offered his mediating ability to convince the duo to resolve their differences.

Chechen warlord Ramzan Kadyrov quashes fight between Khamzat Chimaev, Abubakar Nurmagomedov

Khamzat ChimaevChechen warlord and sanctioned leader, Ramzan Kadyrov has played his part in squashing a beef between close friend and personal guest, UFC welterweight contender, Khamzat Chimaev, and Abubakar Nurmagomedov – after footage emerged showing the duo engaging in a physical altercation at UFC 280 last night. Chimaev, a close personal friend of Kadyrov, who has […]

Khamzat Chimaev

Chechen warlord and sanctioned leader, Ramzan Kadyrov has played his part in squashing a beef between close friend and personal guest, UFC welterweight contender, Khamzat Chimaev, and Abubakar Nurmagomedov – after footage emerged showing the duo engaging in a physical altercation at UFC 280 last night.

Chimaev, a close personal friend of Kadyrov, who has been sanctioned by the United States government, attended UFC 280 last night at the Eithad Arena in Abu Dhabi, UAE – seating alongside Kadyrov’s teenage son, Ali Kadyrov.

In the night’s main event, Russian sambo expert, Islam Makhachev scooped the undisputed lightweight championship – defeating Charles Oliveira in a one-sided second round arm-triangle submission win.

However, during Makhachev’s post-fight Octagon interview, Chimaev and Nurmagomedov – the cousin of former UFC lightweight champion, Khabib Nurmagomedov, were corralled by UFC officials and security after they threw several punches at each other. 

Today, however, it appears the beef between Chimaev and Abubakar Nurmagomedov has been put on the backburner, with the former attended a dinner alongside Khabib and Makhachev.

“A small misunderstanding that took place personally between me and Khlamzat (sic) (Khamzat Chimaev),” Abubakar Nurmagomedov posted on Instagram. “After that, we met with him in the Brotherhood circle, where we were gathered by the elders. As I said in an interview before my fight, Khlamzat is my brother in Faith and I always wish him health and success. I ask you, brothers, not to invent any kind of gossip and I hope our meeting will be beneficial between our brotherly people.” (Transcribed by MMA Junkie)

Ramzan Kadyrov holds peace talks with Khamzat Chimaev and Abubakar Nurmagomedov

A protagonist in peace talks between Khamzat Chimaev and Nurmagomedov comes in the form of the above-mentioned Chechnya leader, Kadyrov, who posted a screenshot on Instagram of himself engaging in a video call with both Chimaev and Nurmagomedov – accompanied by a caption detailing how he managed to settle the pair’s issues. 

Chimaev most recently competed against Kevin Holland at UFC 279 back in September in Las Vegas, Nevada – securing a first round D’Arce choke win in an impromptu fight. The Chechen-born fighter was also involved in a pre-fight scuffle with Holland on Thursday during fight week, with the duo corralled by security – forcing a pre-fight press conference to be cancelled.

Islam Makhachev opens as decent betting favorite over Alexander Volkanovski following UFC 280 victory

Islam MakhachevNewly minted undisputed UFC lightweight titleholder, Islam Makhachev has opened as quite the impressive betting favorite ahead of undisputed featherweight champion, Alexander Volkanovski ahead of a potential February showdown in Perth, Australia – off the back of a massive UFC 280 event. Headlining last night’s return to the Middle East for the organization, Islam Makhachev, […]

Islam Makhachev

Newly minted undisputed UFC lightweight titleholder, Islam Makhachev has opened as quite the impressive betting favorite ahead of undisputed featherweight champion, Alexander Volkanovski ahead of a potential February showdown in Perth, Australia – off the back of a massive UFC 280 event.

Headlining last night’s return to the Middle East for the organization, Islam Makhachev, under the tutelage of former champion, Khabib Nurmagomedov, delivered American Kickboxing Academy another UFC championship – submitting former titleholder, Charles Oliveira with a second round arm-triangle.

Exacting a quite dominant display against the Sao Paulo finisher, Islam Makhachev got Oliveira’s attention on the feet early, stinging with a left hand, before taking position in top control as the Brazilian pulled guard.

Remaining on the ground for the remainder of the frame following a perfectly executed trip, Makhachev dropped Oliveira heavily in the pocket during a second round exchange, before working his way to side control – and synching up an arm-triangle finish, landed the lightweight crown.

Lofted into the Etihad Arena sky by teammate, Khabib, Makhachev was then joined in the Octagon by Australian favorite, Volkanovski.

Weighing in earlier during fight week as an official backup for Saturday’s vacant lightweight title fight – Volkanovski, the current pound-for-pound #1 ranked fighter in the UFC, is poised to challenge Islam Makhachev for gold at UFC 284 in a Down Under homecoming next February.

Islam Makhachev opens as betting favorite over Alexander Volkanovski

And according to numerous opening odds, Makhachev has opened as a quite decent -400 betting favorite to defeat Volkanovski, who opens as a +300 underdog, and defend his lightweight championship. You can place a bet or wager on Islam Makhachev’s potential title outing against Volkanovski over at Fuksiarz. 

For Volkanovski, the dominant featherweight titleholder recently underwent a surgical procedure to address a hand fracture suffered in a one-sided title trilogy win over Max Holloway at UFC 277 back in July during International Fight Week.

The title win over Holloway came as the third occasion Volkanovski successfully defended his featherweight summit, however, the Aussie has stressed his interest in chasing duel-weight titleholder status in the form of a clash with either Oliveira or Makhachev next. 

Sharing the Octagon last night in Abu Dhabi, UAE for a brief, yet cordial face-off, the duo, while yet to be officially booked, the duo are expected to draw each other in February of next year in Australia – as Volkanovski looks to earn a second UFC title. 

As far as the chasing pack at lightweight, should Makhachev defeat Volkanovski and continue his new reign atop the division stack, the Dagestan native has yet to fight any top contender beyond Oliveira en route to his title win.

The Makhachkala-born sambo ace has been tipped to face the likes of Justin Gaethje, Dustin Poirier, Michael Chandler, Rafael Fiziev, Beneil Dariush, Mateusz Gamrot, and even land a rematch with Arman Tsarukyan during his prime in the division. 

Makhachev also became the target of a slew of deleted tweets from former two-weight champion, Conor McGregor following his UFC 280 win – who poked fun at former coach, the late Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov and “father’s plan”, having shared a high-profile rivalry with former champion, Khabib Nurmagomedov in the past.

Beneil Dariush Has A Message For Entire UFC Lightweight Division

UFC lightweight contender Beneil Dariush is embracing those who continue to discredit him following arguably the biggest win of his career. Dariush won his eighth straight fight at UFC 280 on Saturday over the surging Mateusz Gamrot. He used elite take…

UFC lightweight contender Beneil Dariush is embracing those who continue to discredit him following arguably the biggest win of his career. Dariush won his eighth straight fight at UFC 280 on Saturday over the surging Mateusz Gamrot. He used elite takedown defense and opportunistic striking to shut down Gamrot as the fight went on. Dariush…

Continue Reading Beneil Dariush Has A Message For Entire UFC Lightweight Division at MMA News.

‘How Is It Possible?’: Watch Khabib React To Yan/O’Malley Decision

Khabib Nurmagomedov was among those who felt like Petr Yan got robbed against Sean O’Malley at UFC 280. Khabib was at UFC 280 to work as a coach and cornerman for several fighters, including main eventer and new lightweight champ Islam Makhachev….

Khabib Nurmagomedov was among those who felt like Petr Yan got robbed against Sean O’Malley at UFC 280. Khabib was at UFC 280 to work as a coach and cornerman for several fighters, including main eventer and new lightweight champ Islam Makhachev. So he was there in person, when Sean O’Malley earned the massive upset…

Continue Reading ‘How Is It Possible?’: Watch Khabib React To Yan/O’Malley Decision at MMA News.

Khamzat Chimaev Breaks Bread With Team Khabib, Squashes Beef

From fighting to feasting, Khamzat Chimaev seems to have resolved his issues with Khabib Nurmagomedov’s cousin and team. At the conclusion of UFC 280, there were a lot of storylines to unpack, but few expected one of those stories to involve Chim…

From fighting to feasting, Khamzat Chimaev seems to have resolved his issues with Khabib Nurmagomedov’s cousin and team. At the conclusion of UFC 280, there were a lot of storylines to unpack, but few expected one of those stories to involve Chimaev in yet another outside-the-cage altercation, shoving and throwing hands at UFC welterweight Abubakar…

Continue Reading Khamzat Chimaev Breaks Bread With Team Khabib, Squashes Beef at MMA News.