Tag: UFC Saudi Arabia

Islam Makhachev issues ultimatum to UFC: ‘I’ll be ready to smash in March, or see you after Ramadan’

Islam Makhachev issues ultimatum to UFC I'll be ready to smash in March or see you after RamadanLinked with an undisputed lightweight title fight defense against former interim champion, Justin Gaethje, pound-for-pound kingpin, Islam Makhachev has…

Islam Makhachev issues ultimatum to UFC I'll be ready to smash in March or see you after Ramadan

Linked with an undisputed lightweight title fight defense against former interim champion, Justin Gaethje, pound-for-pound kingpin, Islam Makhachev has offered the UFC an ultimatium if they want to see him fight before the summer; book him in March or wait until after Ramadan. 

Makhachev, the current undisputed lightweight champion and pound-for-pound number one ranked fighter, most recently headlined UFC 294 back in October, landing a blistering opening round high-kick and strikes KO win over Alexander Volkanovski in the pair’s short-notice rematch.

And back in February of this year, Russian favorite, Makhachev defended his lightweight throne for the first time with a close decision win over Volkanovski in enemy territory in the main event of UFC 284 in Australia.

Islam Makhachev offers to make UFC return in March 

Linked with a massive lightweight title fight against symbolic BMF championship holder, Gaethje in a return to the Octagon before the beginning of Ramadan, Makhachev, who has also knocked back the idea of a rematch with former-foe, Charles Oliveira, offered the UFC an ultimatum and timeline overnight.

“I’ll be ready to smash someone in March, or see you after Ramadan,” Islam Makhachev posted on his official X account.

And issuing a significant warning to Gaethje ahead of a potential showdown – Makahchev warned the former interim champion that he can do “more than kicking” when the former urged him to see who could kick each other’s head off first.

Winning vacant lightweight gold back in October of last year in Abu Dhabi, Makhachev brought an end to the 11-fight winning streak of former undisputed champion, Oliveira, stopping the Sao Paulo finishing ace with a stunning second round arm-triangle choke submission in the Middle East. 

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

Paulo Costa Claims Khamzat Chimaev Rejected UFC Saudi Arabia Clash: ‘Gourmet chenchen doesn’t want that smoke’

Paulo Costa Khamzat ChimaevPaulo Costa wants to see his previously scheduled fight with Khamzat Chimaev moved to next year’s UFC Saudi Arabia…

Paulo Costa Khamzat Chimaev

Paulo Costa wants to see his previously scheduled fight with Khamzat Chimaev moved to next year’s UFC Saudi Arabia card.

It’s been 16 months since fight fans have seen ‘The Eraser’ back in the Octagon following a bizarre, yet decisive unanimous decision win over Luke Rockhold at UFC 278. After a lengthy contract negotiation that saw him re-sign with the promotion on a four-fight deal, the one-time title challenger looked to jump right back into the mix at middleweight.

Costa was scheduled to square off with undefeated Chechen monster Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi, but ‘Borrachinha’ was forced to withdraw from the bout due to an infection in his elbow that required multiple surgeries.

Former welterweight world champion Kamaru Usman stepped up and took his spot against Chimaev in the co-main event clash.

Paulo Costa plans to stay active in 2024

Recently, Costa took to social media to suggest that his long-awaited fight with Chimaev be moved to the UFC’s highly anticipated debut in Saudi Arabia next year. However, he also claimed that ‘Borz’ seemingly wants nothing to do with the matchup.

“I have been persistently telling the UFC to reschedule this fight for UFC Saudi Arabia, I can’t see a best main event of 5 rounds for it right now cause it’s make sense in Middle East. I would love beat his ass over there . but it’s looks like gourmet chenchen doesn’t want that smoke,” Costa wrote on X.

In a follow-up post, Costa expressed interest in a potential meeting with former middleweight champ and perennial contender Robert Whittaker should things not come to fruition with Chimaev.

“Other guys in List is Rob , if he is interested in this I proposal they should match up it sooner than later , cause I want to be active in 24,” he added.

The UFC will head to Riyadh for the first time on March 2, 2024. Thus far, only two bouts have been announced for the history-making event. Eryk Anders is expected to meet Jamie Pickett in a middleweight matchup while returning undefeated prospect Muhammad Mokaev is scheduled to make his sixth appearance for the promotion against Alex Perez.

Are you still interested in seeing Paulo Costa and Khamzat Chimaev square off inside the Octagon?

Islam Makhachev tipped to fight Charles Oliveira in rematch at UFC Saudi Arabia in March: ‘It makes all the sense in the world’

Islam Makhachev backed to fight Charles Oliveira at UFC Saudi Arabia in March it makes all the sense in the worldUndisputed lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev has been backed to make a spectacular return to the Octagon ahead of schedule…

Islam Makhachev backed to fight Charles Oliveira at UFC Saudi Arabia in March it makes all the sense in the world

Undisputed lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev has been backed to make a spectacular return to the Octagon ahead of schedule at a penned UFC event in Saudi Arabia in March of next year, taking on former-foe, Charles Oliveira in a title rematch, according to close friend and training partner, Daniel Cormier. 

Makhachev, the current undisputed lightweight champion and pound-for-pound number one ranked fighter under the banner of the promotion, most recently headlined UFC 294 back in October in Abu Dhabi, UAE, landing a first round high-kick knockout win over two-time foe, Alexander Volkanovski.

As for Sao Paulo native, Oliveira, the former titleholder was scheduled to fight the Russian at the same event in the Middle East, until a nasty laceration suffered two weeks ahead of the rematch forced his withdrawal from the title clash.

Sidelined since June, Brazilian fan-favorite Oliveira turned in a blistering first round win over incoming UFC Austin headliner, Beneil Dariush, stopping the Iranian with a slew of ground strikes for a TKO win. 

Islam Makhachev backed to fight Charles Oliveira in March

And announcing plans earlier this month to likely compete three times next year, including squeezing in a fight ahead of Ramadan in March, Makhachev has been backed to headline an earmarked UFC Saudi Arabia event by Cormier – in a rematch with Oliveira.

“So, there’s three guys, right?” Daniel Cormier said on DC & RC. “I think it’s a matter of how does Islam (Makhachev) wanna approach this year. He said he wants to fight in the first quarter, January, February, March. March works, Saudi Arabia, there’s a fight card there. It makes all the sense in the world. I think you get Charles Oliveira vs. Islam Makhachev number two.”

I think you get Islam vs. Charles, then I think Justin Gaethje – who has told me in our personal lives that he’s going to wait for Islam Makhachev,” Cormier explained. “He’s not gonna fight, he’s gonna wait for his title fight, you get Gaethje. That third fight to me is the one that I’m a kind of a bit torn on because if you’re thinking star power and you’re trying to build Makhahcev as a big star, you stick him in there with a Dustin Poirier.” 

Do you expect to see Islam Makhachev fight Charles Oliveira as soon as March?

Israel Adesanya flirts with UFC return despite plans for hiatus until 2027: ‘Saudi Arabia in March? Tempting’

Israel Adesanya flirts with UFC Saudi Arabia return in March it's temptingFormer two-time undisputed middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya confirmed plans for a lengthy hiatus from active competition until potentially 2027…

Israel Adesanya flirts with UFC Saudi Arabia return in March it's tempting

Former two-time undisputed middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya confirmed plans for a lengthy hiatus from active competition until potentially 2027 at the earliest following his September title loss, however, earlier today, appeared to have his interested piqued by a planned UFC debut in Saudi Arabia in March of next year – alluding to a potential comeback.

Adesanya, a former two-time middleweight titleholder under the banner of the organization, most recently headlined UFC 293 back in September in Sydney, Australia – suffering a spectacular unanimous decision loss to Sean Strickland in a championship title fight loss – dropping his crown for the second time in the space of a year.

And in the immediate aftermath of the loss, City Kickboxing staple, Adesanya confirmed plans for a lengthy stay away from the Octagon – potentially for a period of four years, despite links to a championship rematch with Strickland as soon as next year.

“I was getting so many messages,” Israel Adesanya said during a recent trip to Saudi Arabia to take in Tyson Fury’s boxing match with Francis Ngannou. “I woke up and was getting tagged in so many things. I’m not dead – I’m not retiring. I mean, calm the f*ck down. I’m alive. 2027. Look for the return, I’ll see you then.” 

And last month, reports confirmed how the UFC is set to touch down in a new Middle Eastern territory for the first time – with a planned March debut in the above-mentioned, Saudi Arabia for a ‘Fight Night’ billed card earmarked already. 

Israel Adesanya weighs up return to the UFC in March of next year

Appearing to already backtrack on a hiatus away from the sport of mixed martial arts, Adesanya claimed he was “tempted” by a potential feature at Saudi Arabia next year. 

“I appreciate the love from greats who recognize the realness!” Israel Adesanya posted on his official X account. “ Saudi Arabia in March… tempting hahaha.” 

Would you like to see Israel Adesanya feature at a UFC Saudi Arabia event next year?

Conor McGregor open to UFC Saudi Arabia return in March: ‘I just want my date please, gimme it’

Conor McGregor open to March return at UFC Saudi Arabia I just want my date please that's itConor McGregor is open to making his return to the Octagon in the Kindom of Saudi Arabia in 2024….

Conor McGregor open to March return at UFC Saudi Arabia I just want my date please that's it

Conor McGregor is open to making his return to the Octagon in the Kindom of Saudi Arabia in 2024.

On March 2, the UFC will head to the Middle Eastern country for the very first time for a Fight Night event to be held in conjunction with the Riyadh Season festival in partnership with the Saudi General Entertainment Authority. Currently, Conor McGregor is in the Saudi Arabian capital to witness the highly anticipated professional boxing debut of Francis Ngannou. The former UFC heavyweight champion will strap on the eight-ounce gloves for a showdown with undefeated British superstar Tyson Fury.

It’s a star-studded event in Riyadh with some of the biggest names in sports and entertainment making their way to Kingdom Arena to take in the action, including Irish megastar Conor McGregor. MMA Junkie’s Mike Bohn caught up with the former two-division titleholder to discuss his long-awaited return to the Octagon and whether or not we could see him make his comeback at UFC Saudi Arabia next year.

“This is what they’re saying. It’s a Fight Night, but they can do what they want to so I’m open,” McGregor said. “March is earlier than April. I’ve been kept from my living for almost three years now. I came through when I came through. I’m sitting on an injury and a loss. You hear what Alexander Volkanovski said. I relate. I must return to my way of living. This is my job so it’s beyond frustrating.”

Conor McGregor Just Wants His Date

It was recently reported that Conor McGregor had submitted his first sample to the United States Anti-Doping Agency since jumping back into the testing pool earlier this month. With USADA’s six-month pre-fight testing policy, the Irishman’s return is expected to go down in April, a month after the UFC heads to the Middle East.

But with the recent revelation that USADA and the UFC will no longer work together, ending their eight-year partnership come January 1, 2024, it’s possible we could see McGregor back inside the Octagon before then.

“I just want the date,” McGregor added. “My date, please. That’s it.”