Latest news with #IslamMakhachev
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Team Makhachev Reveals UFC's Power Play to Elevate Ilia Topuria
Team Makhachev Reveals UFC's Power Play to Elevate Ilia Topuria originally appeared on Athlon Sports. As Islam Makhachev gears up for a move to welterweight, questions surrounding his lightweight exit continue to stir. Many expected him to face the rising Ilia Topuria in a blockbuster title clash—but that fight never materialized. Now, a new revelation from within Makhachev's camp offers a deeper look into why the bout was bypassed. Advertisement In a conversation captured by Adam Zubayraev and shared by Red Corner MMA, Umar Nurmagomedov—Makhachev's teammate—shared surprising insight. Islam MakhachevGetty Images He revealed that UFC executive Hunter Campbell traveled to Dagestan to personally convince Makhachev to move up in weight so that Topuria could take over as the new lightweight champion. 'He [Hunter] came to see Islam, and they wanted Islam to move up. They want to make Topuria the champ at 155. They believe he can really sell fights,' Umar said. 'Islam doesn't want to give up his belt — he wants to fight at 155 too. Islam can take the 170 title, then return to 155 and hold both belts.' The comments have left fans confused and speculating about UFC's intentions. One post summed it up: 'Lemme get this straight … Hunter came to Dagestan to convince Makhachev to go up? But not fight the BIGGEST FIGHT the UFC can make with him and Topuria?' Others questioned the terms: 'Seems like Makhachev declined the fight then was FORCED to go up…' 'Islam isn't active enough to defend both and I'm sure they gave him a choice either vacate and move up or stay at 155 and fight Topuria'. With tensions simmering between both camps and the storyline only heating up, fans can only hope the fight eventually gets made. When the dust settles on UFC 317—and again when Makhachev squares off with Jack Della Maddalena—we might finally get some clarity. If the stars align, maybe Dana White and the UFC will circle back to the lightweight showdown fans actually want. Until then, all we can do is watch, wait, and keep the Twitter fingers ready. Advertisement Related: Ilia Topuria Sends a Blistering Warning to Rising UFC Star Related: UFC Champion Shares Hard Truth About Jon Jones: 'It's a Responsibility' This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 16, 2025, where it first appeared.
USA Today
17 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Javier Mendez's retirement timeline for Islam Makhachev makes Daniel Cormier 'very sad'
Javier Mendez's retirement timeline for Islam Makhachev makes Daniel Cormier 'very sad' Daniel Cormier is having a hard time coping with the idea that Islam Makhachev may not be fighting for too much longer. Javier Mendez revealed that former UFC lightweight champion Makhachev could be looking at three more fights before calling it a career. Makhachev is expected to challenge welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena in his next fight. Cormier thinks Makhachev (27-1 MMA, 16-1 UFC) still has plenty of fight left in him, but is also aware that he likely won't go back on his word if that indeed is the case. "Islam Makhachev might have three fights, including Jack Della Maddalena," Cormier said on his YouTube channel. "That right there is where our energy should be spent as Islam fans. How in the world does it feel like another dominant champion may be saying it's about time? Why? He's young, he's the world champ, he's dominating, getting the opportunity to become a double champ. Why? I think we're in a time right now, in fighting, that for me as a fan is very sad. I don't believe for a second though that it's going to change. But when they all start to walk away, it's sad for the fan. "But Islam only has three fights? It's scary to me, because I know, knowing these guys, the only saving grace right now is that someone else is saying it for him and he has not said that himself. If Islam comes out and tells us, 'I've got three fights left,' we should lock in. We saw Khabib do it, and he never looked back. That should be worrisome to us as mixed martial arts fans. We have so many more fights that we want to these guys to fight. We want to see him against Jack Della, we want to see him against (Kamaru) Usman, and we want to see him against Ilia Topuria. It's crazy." Makhachev defended the UFC lightweight title a division record four times before opting to relinquish it. His most recent title defense came in a quick submission of Renato Moicano at UFC 311 in January.
The Independent
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Independent
Arman Tsarukyan reveals himself as Topuria vs Oliveira back-up fighter at UFC 317
Arman Tsarukyan has said he will serve as the back-up fighter for the main event of UFC 317, which pits Ilia Topuria against Charles Oliveira for the vacant lightweight title. In that bout on 28 June, Topuria will try to become a two-weight champion after vacating the featherweight belt in February, while Oliveira aims to become a two-time lightweight king. The unbeaten Topuria gave up the 145lb belt after just one defence, having knocked out Alexander Volkanovski to win the strap in February 2024 before scoring the same result against Max Holloway in October. With those two wins, against all-time featherweight greats, Topuria had fans believing that a lengthy title reign would ensue. But the Spanish-Georgian has explained the 'suffering' of cutting weight to 145lb, leading to his move up to 155lb. A super-fight with Islam Makhachev was on the cards, but the dominant champion emulated Topuria by vacating his title to seek welterweight gold. As such, Topuria will face Oliveira, who dominated Michael Chandler in November to bounce back from a narrow points loss to Tsarukyan and earn a title shot. Tsarukyan beat the Brazilian at UFC 300 last April, setting up a shot at Makhachev this January. However, Tsarukyan suffered a back injury, leading him to withdraw on one day's notice, with Makhachev going on to submit Renato Moicano in round one. With that, Tsarukyan lost the chance to avenge his 2019 decision loss to Makhachev. While Tsarukyan's rematch with Makhachev might have eluded him forever, the Armenian-Russian still has a chance to become lightweight champion. That depends on whether Topuria, 28, or Oliveira, 35, sustains an injury or tough weight cut in Las Vegas, although Tsarukyan, 28, may feel that weighing in as the back-up fighter could earn him a shot at the winner, if Topuria vs Oliveira goes ahead. Tsarukyan confirmed his role on Instagram, replying to a user who asked him: 'Next who @arm_011?' The fighter wrote: 'I'm the backup for UFC 317.'
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Usman Has A ‘Simple Path' To DDP
Former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Welterweight king Kamaru Usman finally returns to action after a lengthy layoff against surging contender Joaquin Buckley at UFC Atlanta this weekend (Sat., June 14, 2025) inside State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. 'The Nigerian Nightmare' is all about the idea of big 'blockbuster' fights these days. Advertisement Recently, he revealed that he sees a potential fight with Islam Makhachev, who is now moving up to the Welterweight division, as a massive superfight and something he's looking forward to. But at UFC Atlanta's media day, the 38-year-old unveiled a bolder vision: a second title and a historic Africa showdown with Middleweight champ Dricus Du Plessis. And the route to get there is easy in his eyes. 'My path there is pretty simple,' Usman told reporters. 'I'll just lay out the map here. I'll finish Buckley this weekend and then wait for the winner of, I believe, Islam and JDM, which is going to be an incredible fight. It's such a great thing now having Islam come up into the division. Who wouldn't buy a ticket to that? Former pound-for-pound and current pound-for-pound. I love Islam. Islam is a great fighter. I think that's something that we'd both remember forever.' Advertisement 'Win [against Islam] and then go ahead and probably vacate, go up,' Usman continued. 'Myself vs. Dricus Du Plessis, if he is the champion, or Khamzat Chimaev, too, if Dricus is no longer the champion, we do that. If Dricus is the champion, we do that in the first card in Africa. That's another blockbuster. These are back-to-back blockbuster fights you tell your grandkids about. Who wouldn't watch those?' Usman's blockbuster blueprint is electrifying, but a ferocious Buckley stands in his way this Saturday. With knockout power and a hunger to topple a legend, Buckley aims to shatter 'The Nigerian Nightmare's' comeback. Dream big. Remember that will deliver LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the entire UFC Atlanta fight card right here, starting with the ESPN/ESPN+ 'Prelims' matches online, which are scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. ET, before the main card start time at 10 p.m. ET (also on ESPN+). Advertisement To check out the latest and greatest UFC Atlanta: 'Usman vs. Buckley' news and notes be sure to hit up our comprehensive event archive right here. More from
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Usman ‘For Sure' Gets The Next Title Shot?!?!?
He's back! Former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Welterweight champion Kamaru Usman completely dominated Joaquin Buckley, winning a unanimous decision in the main event of UFC Atlanta last night (Sat., June 14, 2025) from inside State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. Advertisement Before the fight, Usman suggested and planted a seed that a matchup with former Lightweight champion Islam Makhachev would be a 'blockbuster' event. Following his dominant performance, he's doubling down, arguing his win warrants a title shot. 'Let's be honest, I'm the biggest name in the division, and this is about entertainment- the UFC is an entertainment company,' Usman told reporters during the UFC Atlanta post-fight press conference (watch here). 'If you want to make the biggest fight, it's going to be [me] vs. the winner of JDM and Islam. If Islam pulls that one out, former pound-for-pound vs. current pound-for-pound, who doesn't pay for that?' A reporter straight up asked him if his win over Buckley earned him an immediate title shot. 'Oh yeah, for sure,' Usman said. 'I mean, you don't feel like that? Who else?' Advertisement While 'The Nigerian Nightmare' makes a strong case, and the UFC often favors former champions for title shots, other welterweight contenders, like Shavkat Rakhmonov and Sean Brady, are equally deserving. He was asked about a potential fight with Belal Muhammad because of their bad blood, and he didn't even acknowledge him, and seemed not to 'Remember the Name.' For more UFC Atlanta results, coverage, and highlights click HERE. More from
