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Khabib Nurmagomedov set to finish training Islam Makhachev for UFC 294 title fight: ‘He’s gonna be here’

Khabib Nurmagomedov set to train Islam Makhachev at UFC 294 title fight Despite taking a distinct step away from the coaching side of the sport in the last year, former undisputed lightweight champion, Khabib Nurmagomedov is set to be on site in the remaining two week of teammate, Islam Makhachev’s training camp – to help prepare the current champion for his rematch title defense against Charles Oliveira […]

Despite taking a distinct step away from the coaching side of the sport in the last year, former undisputed lightweight champion, Khabib Nurmagomedov is set to be on site in the remaining two week of teammate, Islam Makhachev’s training camp – to help prepare the current champion for his rematch title defense against Charles Oliveira at UFC 294 next weekend.

Nurmagomedov, a former undisputed lightweight champion himself and staple at American Kickboxing Academy in San Jose, California, guided training partner and close friend, Makhachev to the vacant lightweight throne back in October of last year, with the latter submitting former champion, Oliviera with a second round arm-triangle submission in.

However, electing against travelling with Makhachev for his February title defense against Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 284 back in February, Nurmagomedov had taken a further step back from the sport he himself had retired from back in 2020.

Khabib Nurmagomedov set to train Islam Makhachev for UFC 294 title fight

And yet to make a return to corner work for Makhachev ahead of UFC 294 next weekend against Sao Paulo finishing ace, Oliveira, Nurmagomedov has been confirmed as travelling to the Middle East to help Makhachev put the finishing touches on his training camp.

“He (Khabib Nurmagomedov) will come tomorrow, train with us in the camp,” Islam Makhachev told ESPN MMA during a recent interview ahead of UFC 294. “He’s not going to be my corner coach, but he will be here to help… we come here, like 40 guys, the whole team. I don’t know fight day where he’s going to be, but next two weeks, he’s gonna be here.”

“I miss the time when we were training together, when he (Khabib Nurmagomedov) had fight, when I had fight,” Islam Makhachev explained. “But when he become coach like two years, one year ago, he pressure us very hard, you know? We did drills, almost ten rounds sparring. And after all this work, after one and a half hours, he says, ‘Okay, now five rounds grappling.’”

Can Khabib Nurmagomedov again guide Islam Makhachev to success at UFC 294?

Islam Makhachev eyes welterweight title fight with Colby Covington after UFC 294: ‘I want my chance, too’

Slated to headline UFC 294 next weekend in Abu Dhabi, UAE, undisputed lightweight champion, Islam Makahchev has welcomed the possibility of an immediate title fight turnaround at the welterweight limit, in the form of a championship clash against incoming title challenger, Colby Covington. Makhachev, the current undisputed lightweight champion, is set to headline UFC 294 […]

Makhachev, the current undisputed lightweight champion, is set to headline UFC 294 later this month in the Middle East – taking on former titleholder, Charles Oliveira in a rematch one year since their vacant title showdown at the Etihad Arena.

In their first matchup, American Kickboxing Academy standout, Makhachev submitted the former champion with a second round arm-triangle submission win, snapping the Brazilian’s record-setting 12-fight undefeated run.

Every striking exchange + Slow mo in Charles Oliveira vs. Islam Makhachev 1. pic.twitter.com/0dAMDUZCNs

— HOME OF FIGHT (@home_of_fight) September 30, 2023

And back in February of this year, Makhachev lodged his first successful title defense as lightweight champion, knocking back pound-for-pound number one and undisputed featherweight champion, Alexander Volkanovski with a close decision victory.

Islam Makhachev envisions title fight with Colby Covington

Planning his future beyond this month’s title clash with Sao Paulo finisher, Oliveira, Makhachev has welcomed the chance to compete for welterweight gold – particularly in a fight against former interim champion, Covington.

“I don’t know what the UFC has planned, but my dream fight is for the second belt,” Islam Makhachev told ESPN during a recent interview. “Of course, I am under contract, so whatever the UFC says, I will fight, no problem, but (Leon) Edwards vs. Colby (Covington) – I really believe I can beat [them]. I look at their skills and what they have as champion and I know my skills. It’s going to be a good fight. I’m not saying I’m going to beat them easy. It’s going to be a hard, tough fight against a big guy. But I believe I can finish those guys.”

“I gave a chance to that guy, so they have to give me a chance, too,” Islam Makhachev explained. “I gave a chance to a guy from another division to come to my weight and to try to take this belt, and he lost. I want my chance, too.”

Who wins: Islam Makhachev or Colby Covington?

Islam Makhachev slams Charles Oliveira’s claim that the Abu Dhabi setting for UFC 294 is ‘Unfair’

Reigning UFC lightweight world champion Islam Makhachev didn’t take kindly to Charles Oliveira’s claim that the Abu Dhabi setting for their long-awaited rematch is unfair. On October 21, ‘Do Bronx’ will attempt to regain the 155-pound title when the pair step inside the Octagon at UFC 294. Emanating from the UAE, Oliveira expressed his frustration […]

Reigning UFC lightweight world champion Islam Makhachev didn’t take kindly to Charles Oliveira’s claim that the Abu Dhabi setting for their long-awaited rematch is unfair.

On October 21, ‘Do Bronx’ will attempt to regain the 155-pound title when the pair step inside the Octagon at UFC 294. Emanating from the UAE, Oliveira expressed his frustration over the bout taking place on Makhachev’s turf during a recent interview.

“[I] don’t necessarily think it’s fair, but it’s the game,” Oliveira told James Lynch. “You know, that’s where the champion is. He calls the shots, but I’m coming back for my belt.”

Getting wind of Oliveira’s comments, Islam Makhachev snapped back, letting it be known that he did not pick the location. He also reminded the former champ that he willingly went into hostile territory in February for a title tilt with featherweight king Alexander Volkanovski.

“Charles, I asked to fight in U.S. in the summer, but UFC has other plans,” Makhachev wrote on X. “I am a UFC fighter like you, never set the conditions for the UFC and fought where they offered, my last fight took place in Australia at the challenger’s backyard, simple, everything you say makes no sense.”

Charles, I asked to fight in US in the summer, but UFC has other plans, I am a UFC fighter like you,never set the conditions for the UFC and fought where they offered, my last fight took place in Australia at the challenger’s backyrd, simple, everything you say makes no sense

— Makhachev Islam (@MAKHACHEVMMA) October 2, 2023

‘Do Bronx’ Was Offered a Rematch with Islam Makhachev in Brazil

Islam Makhachev does not hail from Abu Dhabi, but the territory has become known for heavily favoring Muslim fighters, giving them somewhat of a home-field advantage. The rematch with Oliveira will represent his fourth time competing in the UAE capital during his career.

Not long after their first fight in October 2022 where Charles Oliveira succumbed to a second-round submission, the UFC offered ‘Do Bronx’ an opportunity to run it back in his home country of Brazil. The bout was expected to take place at UFC 283 in January, but the three-month turnaround was entirely too short for Oliveira to comfortably accept. That ultimately led to Makhachev moving forward with the fight against Volkanovski at UFC 284.

Do Bronx’ finally made his return to the Octagon over the summer, scoring a stunning first-round knockout against Beneil Dariush at UFC 289 in June to reassert himself as the division’s top-ranked contender.

Ex-champ Kamaru Usman tipped to be the backup for Khamzat Chimaev vs. Paulo Costa at UFC 294

Chael Sonnen believes Kamaru Usman’s next assignment should see him serve as the backup for UFC 294’s highly anticipated clash between Khamzat Chimaev and Paulo Costa. On October 21, both men will make the walk to the Octagon for the first time in over a year in what could very well be a middleweight title […]

Chael Sonnen believes Kamaru Usman’s next assignment should see him serve as the backup for UFC 294’s highly anticipated clash between Khamzat Chimaev and Paulo Costa.

On October 21, both men will make the walk to the Octagon for the first time in over a year in what could very well be a middleweight title eliminator. But with both fighters having a history of missing weight, Sonnen believes it would be smart for the promotion to have a backup in place. And in the three-time UFC title challenger’s mind, there is only one man for the job.

“It is paramount that they have a backup fighter in Abu Dhabi for Paulo Costa versus Chimaev. It is paramount and it can’t just be anybody cause that’s the feature match, that’s the main event as far as we’re all concerned. The right guy has to be ready. The right guy is not Jarred Cannonier. I’m not saying that to be negative,” Sonnen said on his YouTube channel.

“The right guy has a name, the right guy’s already asked for the fight, the right guy’s in shape. The right guy to fill in for Paulo Costa or Khamzat Chimaev, whichever one of them blinks first and they’re both blinking right now, little inside news for you, the fight guy is Kamaru Usman,” (h/t MiddleEasy).

Kamaru Usman Has Already Called for a Fight with Khamzat Chimaev

Usman has not competed since coming up short in his trilogy bout with Leon Edwards last March. Failing to reclaim the welterweight championship, the ‘Nigerian Nightmare’ has teased a potential move to 185 and, at one point, even called out Khamzat Chimaev for a clash inside the cage. Of course, the bout never came to fruition, but serving as a backup at UFC 294 could be a perfect opportunity for Usman to dip his toe into the division.

Usman could also find himself encouraged to move up a weight class with the rise of a brand new middleweight champion in Sean Strickland.

“I believe that Kamaru Usman should go to 185 pounds,” Sonnen continued. “That’s Chael’s belief. I also followed Usman as a wrestler, who wrestled at 184 pounds, so I know that size is not an issue for him. That’s his actual size. Usman is just fine at 185. I’m telling you that until I’m blue in the face but it’s true. He didn’t wanna do it at 185 because it would have become a number one contender’s match. And if he beat Chimaev, which he planned to do, he did not want to be in a position where he drew into Izzy.”

Kamaru Usman has also shown some interest in a potential meeting with two-time welterweight title challenger Stephen Thompson. Currently, ‘Wonderboy’ is gearing up for a clash with undefeated standout Shavkat Rakhmonov at UFC 296 in December. If he can hand ‘Nomad’ his first career loss, Thompson could be primed for a showdown with the ‘Nigerian Nightmare’ next year.

Khamzat Chimaev warns Paulo Costa ahead of UFC 294 fight: ‘There will be no jokes, it will be real’

Ahead of his much-anticipated Octagon return later this month, undefeated welterweight contender, Khamzat Chimaev has put a firm end to his cordial and tongue-in-cheek clash with Paulo Costa at UFC 294, claiming their contest will be nothing but “real”. Chimaev, the current number four ranked welterweight contender, is set to co-headline UFC 294 in two […]

Chimaev, the current number four ranked welterweight contender, is set to co-headline UFC 294 in two weeks’ time in Abu Dhabi, UAE – taking on former middleweight title challenger, Costa in a championship eliminator clash in the Middle East.

Sidelined since September of last year, Chimaev most recently landed a one-sided opening round submission win over recent Noche UFC feature, Kevin Holland – securing a D’Arce choke submission stoppage.

As for Costa, the outspoken Belo Horizonte native has yet to feature inside the Octagon since August of last year, most recently landing a unanimous decision win over former middleweight champion, Luke Rockhold in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Khamzat Chimaev sends a chilling message to Paulo Costa

And while both men have shared a somewhat light-hearted yet threatening build-up to their title eliminator, Chimaev has claimed all jokes will stop when they clash – showing off a massive back as part of an incredibly striking physique.

“There will be no jokes, it will be real!” Khamzat Chimaev posted on his official X account tonight.

There will be no jokes, it will be real! pic.twitter.com/KNuqyveIuk

— Khamzat Chimaev (@KChimaev) October 1, 2023

Prior to his win over Holland last September, Chimaev turned in an impressive decision win over former welterweight title challenger, Gilbert Burns in April of last year to boot, with his UFC 294 clash against Costa coming as his first at the middleweight limit since his 2020 Octagon debut against John Philips.

Can Khamzat Chimaev remain undefeated against Paulo Costa at UFC 294?

Charles Oliveira confident of title success in UFC 294 rematch with Islam Makhachev: ‘I’m coming for my belt’

Former undisputed lightweight champion, Charles Oliveira has voiced his displeasure with the fact his championship rematch with Islam Makahchev is slated to take place in Abu Dhabi, UAE, however, remains confident of winning gold once more – a championship he claims is still his. Oliveira, a former undisputed titleholder at the weight class, managed to […]

Oliveira, a former undisputed titleholder at the weight class, managed to return to the winner’s enclosure back in June in the co-main event of UFC 289, after seeing his division-best 12-fight winning halted by Makhachev back in October of last year.

Landing a first round win over the surging Beneil Dariush, Oliveira racked up his first victory whilst competing in Canada in the promotion, defeating the Iranian-grappler with a slew of first round ground strikes.

Charles Oliveira confident of rematch win over Islam Makhachev

Questioning why his long-awaited title rematch with Makhachev must take place in the Middle East – where the defending champion retains a huge following and fanbase, Oliveira voiced his displeasure, however, claimed he would reclaim the championship regardless of location.

“You know, that’s where the champion is,” Charles Oliveira told James Lynch during a recent interview through a translator. “He (Islam Makhachev) calls the shots, but I’m coming back for my belt.”

During his championship reign – which began with a stunning come-from-behind knockout win over Michael Chandler, Oliveira racked up consecutive submission victories over former interim titleholders, Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje in title fights.

As for Makhachev, the Russian grappling sensation successfully defended his throne in the main event of UFC 284 back in February of this year in Perth, Australia – landing a close, unanimous decision win over his featherweight counterpart and pound-for-pound number one, Alexander Volkanovski.

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