Latest news with #Makhachev
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.
USA Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Coach shares surprising insight into Islam Makhachev's retirement timeline
Javier Mendez doesn't see Islam Makhachev sticking around for too much longer. Makhachev (27-1 MMA, 16-1 UFC) relinquished his UFC lightweight title to chase a second belt. He is expected to challenge welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena later in the year. His head coach, Mendez, revealed that with a UFC-record four title defenses at lightweight and the potential to add another belt, he expects Makhachev to follow a similar path as his mentor Khabib Nurmagomedov in terms of not overextending his career. "Islam is going to be 34, so it isn't like he's really going to be around much longer, I don't think," Mendez told Submission Radio. "Based on how the Dagestani guys get their mentality on team Khabib, and Islam having enough money to do what he wants to do the rest of his life, so let's see. The challenge for me is being able to get a legacy going for him and getting the welterweight title is a hell of a legacy to have." Mendez predicted how much longer he expects Makhachev to fight. "I'm anticipating we'll see him for hopefully, maybe another three fights total," Mendez said. "Let's see who's in the works on that. If we get by JDM – which, I don't want to really say we're going to get by him because this guy is a tough customer. I'm going to be positive in the fact that we're going to win, but it's kind of hard to overlook JDM." Makhachev was asked about retirement in an interview with Demetrious Johnson in January. He explained his outlook on when he'll know it's time to walk away. "It's not like records, it's not like age," Makhachev said. "My opinion, I go to the gym, and I told you, kids want to show something to me, and when I can understand that I cannot stop the people, I can't compete with the young guys, I'll be thinking about retirement. But right now, it's not time to talk about this because I know I can do more, and I improve in all my fights."
The Independent
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Independent
Ilia Topuria opens up on weight-cut ‘suffering' as Charles Oliveira clash approaches
Ilia Topuria has opened up on the 'suffering' of his weight cuts to 145lb, explaining why he decided to move up to 155lb. In February, Topuria vacated the featherweight title after just one successful defence, eyeing a shot at the lightweight belt. He will get that shot at UFC 317 on 28 June, when he faces former champion Charles Oliveira for the vacant strap. And speaking about his decision to leave the featherweight division for lightweight, where he fought and beat Jai Herbert in 2022, the Spanish-Georgian told ESPN Deportes: 'When you're cutting weight and you can't eat or drink water, you don't care about any material things. 'They can give you bags of money, they can give you all the cars you want, you don't care at all. If they give you this little glass of water and say, 'You can drink this and it won't increase your weight,' I'll give you whatever it takes in that moment. 'I'm so low, I feel terrible. It's like sitting naked in the middle of the street. I feel terrible, so I didn't want to suffer anymore. I didn't want to go through that. 'I'd already done it throughout my career. I'd already achieved my dream, which was to become a world champion. I had to close that chapter, because I didn't want to suffer anymore. Because honestly, it's like living in the desert, and I wanted to live on the beach.' Topuria, 28, won the featherweight title with a knockout of long-reigning champion Alexander Volkanovski in February 2024. He then retained the belt with a knockout of ex-champion Max Holloway in October, preserving his unbeaten record in the process. While many fans predicted a lengthy reign for Topuria, 'El Matador' vacated the title this February. A seismic lightweight-title fight with Islam Makhachev was on the cards, but Makhachev soon emulated Topuria by vacating the 155lb gold to seek a welterweight-title shot. Later this year, Makhachev is expected to challenge Jack Della Maddalena, who dethroned Makhachev's teammate Belal Muhammad in May. 'Why did I want to fight Islam?' Topuria said. 'For one simple fact, and it's the same with Volkanovski. If you beat someone and take the title from them at 145, it had to be Volk. It had to be Volk for me at that point, because he had the most history in the division. He was the one who dominated everyone. He was the greatest. 'It's the same for me with Islam. I wanted to fight him simply because he had dominated everyone. So, who's beating everyone? Islam. Well, I want to fight him because then the prize is much bigger. '[Makhachev said:] 'I'm not going to vacate the title even if I move up to 170.' 'No, Ilia has to fight someone to earn a title shot.' Now, look: he's moved up, he vacated the title, and I'm fighting directly for the belt.' In Oliveira, Topuria will face one of the most dangerous fighters in UFC history. The Brazilian, 35, holds the records for the most submission wins and most finishes ever in the promotion. Last time out, Oliveira dominated Michael Chandler to set up a title shot and a bid at becoming a two-time lightweight champion.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
'Another three fights' - Coach Javier Mendez makes shocking revelation on Islam Makhachev's retirement plans ahead of welterweight title bout
Islam Makhachev and Javier Mendez. Image via Javier Mendez/Instagram Former lightweight champion Islam Makhachev's coach, Javier Mendez , revealed some shocking facts about the fighter's retirement plans . The Russian fighter recently vacated his title and moved up to the welterweight division , aiming for a two-weight championship status. Even though it is almost confirmed that Makhachev will be facing the newly crowned Jack Della Maddalena for the belt, the date and venue for the bout have not been announced yet. Javier Mendez analyses the current state of welterweight division, explains the timeline of Islam Makhachev's bouts after facing Jack Della Maddalena In a recent interview with Submission Radio, Islam Makhachev's coach, Javier Mendez, reflected upon the latest win secured by Kamaru Usman at UFC Atlanta against Joaquin Buckley. The Nigerian fighter is on a mission to reclaim his lost belt and wants to face the winner of the bout between Makhachev and Jack Della Maddalena. Pondering on the probability of Usman getting a title shot next, Mendez stated, 'Possible. Depends on what the UFC thinks.I mean, I think Shavkat needs to be considered. Also Ian Garry. You know Belal Muhammad also too.' The coach continued, 'The welterweight division has become the hotbed for the UFC at the present time.' Javier Mendez REACTS to Usman Wanting Islam Title Shot, Says Makhachev not afraid to stand with JDM! While analysing the future prospects within the division, Mendez also reflected upon the future of Makhachev in the world of combat sports. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Your Brain's Favorite Workout Play Classic Chess Install Now Undo The 33-year-old fighter throughout his career has suffered only one loss and that was in the early stages of his UFC career against Adriano Martins. His pro-MMA record stands at 27-1-0, with his latest win against Renato Moicano in a lightweight title bout. The fighter won the championship belt in his bout against Charles Oliveira and has defended the belt for four straight times since then. Even though the fighter announced his move up to the welterweight division, fans might not get to see him in action for a very long time now. Talking about Makhachev's retirement plans, coach Mendez stated, 'I'm anticipating we'll see Islam hopefully for maybe another three fights total. Let's see who's in the works on that, if we get by JDM.' Also read: 'No one even knew who they were' - Jake Paul sparks outrage with bold self-comparison involving Muhammad Ali and Mike Tyson With an exciting bout coming up, it might not be a very good news for UFC fans, owing to the possible short tenure of the Russian fighter within the division. It was UFC 315 that was the deciding factor for Makhachev regarding his recent move up to the welterweight division.
