Latest news with #AmericanKickboxingAcademy
USA Today
7 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Islam Makhachev clarifies UFC retirement speculation: 'We're just beginning'
People around Islam Makhachev might have certain ideas about the timeline for his retirement from MMA, but he will be the one to make the final call. One of his longtime coaches, Javier Mendez of American Kickboxing Academy, stated this past month that he believes Makhachev (27-1 MMA, 16-1 UFC) only has three fights remaining in his career, including his expected next bout against UFC welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena. Shortly thereafter, one of Makhachev's managers, Ali Abdelaziz of Dominance MMA, said that was incorrect, and he instead believed the former longtime UFC lightweight champion still has at least three good years of competition left. Makhachev said everyone is welcome to share their takes, but right now retirement couldn't be further from his mind. He is focused on conquering a new challenge at 170-pounds and achieving his "dream" of a second belt in a second UFC weight class after vacating lightweight gold. "Javier has his opinion, Ali has his opinion – I have my opinion," Makhachev told MMA Junkie. "We're just beginning. This is a new book. We're just beginning." After some gruelling cuts down to 155 pounds, Makhachev will get some physical relief competing at welterweight and could potentially add more fights to his career. It also comes down to how often he can compete, too. Makhachev had initially hoped for three fights in 2025. Given the change in weight class it's going to be two, and he would prefer UFC 321 in Abu Dhabi on Oct. 25, or ideally November's UFC 322 event in New York City. "We will see when I'm going to fight," Makhachev said. "Madison Square Garden or Las Vegas or Abu Dhabi, because still we don't have the day. If not Madison Square Garden, I want to fight in Abu Dhabi. I don't want to wait."
USA Today
18-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Daniel Cormier on Makhachev facing Topuria: 'Dude ain't doing what he doesn't want to do'
Daniel Cormier on Makhachev facing Topuria: 'Dude ain't doing what he doesn't want to do' Daniel Cormier has bad news for Ilia Topuria. Topuria (16-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) is eager to challenge UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev (27-1 MMA, 16-1 UFC) after he vacated his featherweight title to chase a second belt. However, Makhachev's mentor, Khabib Nurmagomedov, insists Topuria needs to beat a top contender first. He doesn't see Makhachev having much to gain by defending his title against another former featherweight. "Islam has the longest winning streak in the UFC, and he has the best resume," Nurmagomedov said in a recent interview with Adam Zubayraev. "Topuria has been fighting in the UFC for a couple of years and has six to seven fights. Islam has 16 or 17, if I'm not mistaken. He has a solid resume. So they want to put at stake all the legacy Islam has built in the UFC, but Islam won't put it all on the line for a man who has just won two big fights. Let him go through the same path, and then no problem." Cormier, who spent years training with both Makhachev and Nurmagomedov at the American Kickboxing Academy, warns Topuria that this isn't a negotiating tactic. "Khabib is about as straight as shooter as you're ever going to find," Cormier said on his YouTube channel. "I'm telling you, when he's mad at me, he tells me. When he's mad at someone else, he tells you. He doesn't hide. So when you hear him say things publicly, take it as fact. This isn't him posturing. This isn't these guys trying to raise the price on a fight or anything. This is a true emotion, a true feeling, because that's just how these guys operate." Two of Makhachev's four title defenses came against UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski. His most recent title defense came against short-notice replacement Renato Moicano at UFC 311 after Arman Tsarukyan withdrew. Cormier says legacy matters for Makhachev which is why there's hesitation to face Topuria, who's unproven at lightweight. "Of his four fights, there are a lot of situations where he just didn't probably feel the love," Cormier said. "And if you're trying to build a legacy, you've got to feel that love. ... For me, it's this: I think it's (Justin) Gaethje. I think that makes a ton of sense to me because Gaethje is that big name, and if Justin Gaethje fights Islam Makhachev for the championship, that's it if he loses." In conclusion, Cormier thinks Topuria ultimately won't get his wish just yet. "The update should not feel good for people that support the idea that Ilia Topuria should fight (Makhachev) next," Cormier said. "I'm just being honest with you because I'm telling you, I know these dudes, and I know when they talk to you, you might as well listen because they're telling you the truth. Love it or hate it, they're telling you the truth. Khabib turned down $40 million to come back and fight. Dude ain't doing what he doesn't want to do."
