Latest news with #Makhachev
USA Today
5 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Tony Ferguson explains what makes Islam Makhachev better than Khabib Nurmagomedov
Tony Ferguson explains what makes Islam Makhachev better than Khabib Nurmagomedov Tony Ferguson never hesitates to take aim at his former UFC rival, Khabib Nurmagomedov. Ferguson saw five fight bookings with Nurmagomedov fall through but still hopes to settle the score in some shape or form. He suggested coaching "The Ultimate Fighter" against him, then partaking in a grappling match. When assessing Nurmagomedov's protege, Islam Makhachev, and his decision to move up to 170 pounds, Ferguson made a bold claim. "Somebody was telling me, who do you think is a better wrestler? Is it Makhachev or is it Khabib?" Ferguson told Helen Yee. "I think Makhachev is the better grappler, honestly. I think he's a little bit faster. I think with Khabib, I think he's just a little bit more not timid of the freestyle that Makhachev presents, but I think Makhachev, he's not going to do so bad at 170. I think he'll be all right." Makhachev (27-1 MMA, 16-1 UFC) is moving to welterweight after breaking the UFC record for most lightweight title defenses at four. Former interim lightweight champion Ferguson supports his decision. "OK, so you have Islam Makhachev that went up north to 170 and then you have Ilia Topuria from '45, he's going to go up to '55 to fight Chuck (Oliveira)," Ferguson said. "Look, when it goes into it, you have to have somebody f*cking fight for the belt. I mean, Makhachev fought how many times at '55? That's much more, and he made weight. When you have that (four title defenses), I think that's a smart move. When you go up, you're going to try to build legacy, you're going to do certain things like that – and he's going to run like his cousin."
USA Today
6 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Ian Machado Garry relishes potential Islam Makhachev fight if he becomes UFC champ
Ian Machado Garry relishes potential Islam Makhachev fight if he becomes UFC champ Ian Machado Garry sees a big storyline in a potential UFC title fight against Islam Makhachev. Makhachev (27-1 MMA, 16-1 UFC) vacated his UFC lightweight title to challenge newly crowned welterweight champ Jack Della Maddalena – a fight which is expected to take place later in the year. On his own road to gold, Machado Garry (16-1 MMA, 9-1 UFC) envisions a perfect scenario of facing Makhachev if he can get past Della Maddalena. He sees a potential matchup with Makhachev reigniting an infamous rivalry from the past, as well as the opportunity to separate himself from the rest of the roster. "If people want to market it as Dagestan vs. Ireland if me and Islam Makhachev ever cross paths then they can," Machado Garry said in an interview with "But I feel like that's bringing in two people like Conor McGregor and Khabib Nurmagomedov, who have had their rivalry and have done and said the things they've said. The truth is, this is Dagestan vs. Ireland, but it would be Islam vs. Ian. "We can bring up the past, or we can focus on the present. Islam right now is the pound-for-pound No. 1. He's trying to move up and fight for the welterweight world title, and if he wins there is absolutely every scenario that I'm going to call for that fight because there is nothing more I want to do than go out there and beat the No. 1 pound for pound, get the belt and prove that I'm one of the best in the world." Machado Garry, who's coming off a unanimous decision win over Carlos Prates last month, weighed in as the official backup for the welterweight title fight between Della Maddalena and Belal Muhammad at UFC 315.
BBC News
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Pimblett targeting Topuria or Gaethje fight in October
Paddy Pimblett says he would love to fight Ilia Topuria in Abu Dhabi in October but his opponent is most likely to be Justin Pimblett earned a statement win over Michael Chandler last month before calling for his next bout to be against an opponent ranked in the top Topuria faces Brazil's Charles Oliveira for the lightweight belt at UFC 317 on 28 June after former champion Islam Makhachev vacated his belt to move up to Gaethje doesn't have a fight booked and is third in the UFC's lightweight rankings - five places above UFC usually hosts a numbered event in Abu Dhabi in October but a potential date for this year's show is yet to be set."I'm hoping to fight in Abu Dhabi in October. I think that's when I'm going to be back in the cage," Pimblett told BBC Sport."I was thinking Ilia might call me out if he wins [against Oliveira]. I'd love to beat him if he gets the belt."I'd love to fight him anyway but he's booked, so I think it's more than likely Justin Gaethje."Pimblett has history with former featherweight champion Topuria after the pair clashed at a hotel before UFC London in 28, vacated his belt earlier this year to move up to lightweight, opening the door to a potential fight with meanwhile, last fought in March with a win over Rafael Fiziev - and with 20 knockouts from 26 bouts, he remains one of the most popular fighters on the fourth-ranked Max Holloway facing fifth-ranked Dustin Poirier on 19 July, the only other fighter without a fight booked in the top five is Armenia's Arman Tsarukyan, who Pimblett has no interest in."No one [cares] about Arman Tsarukyan and people actually want to watch Gaethje fight. People know it'll be an exciting fight, me versus Gaethje," said Pimblett."Tsarukyan, he's just an absolute tool, and then it's me and Gaethje. "One win away and I'll be fighting for the belt. Yeah, that's always been the aim. It's the only aim that we have." 'White needs to come to Anfield' Since his UFC debut in 2021 Pimblett has won all seven fights and grown into one of the most popular fighters in the has long wanted to headline a show in his hometown Liverpool but the UFC hasn't held an event in the city since 2018, instead choosing to put shows on in London and Liverpool's biggest arena, the M&S Bank Arena, only has a capacity of 11,000, Pimblett has suggested Premier League champions Liverpool's stadium Anfield as a potential president Dana White, however, has often opted against hosting shows in stadiums, citing a lack of atmosphere and potential rain as the reasons has suggested White should visit Anfield to watch a Liverpool game to change his mind."It needs to be Anfield. That's the only the only viable place to do it. And I know Dana doesn't like doing stadiums, he's done it in Australia, but Anfield is different," said Pimblett."He needs to come to Anfield on a Champions League night or when we play Manchester United or something like that, or even the blue shirt [Everton]."You need to come and watch because you'd be like 'wow, this is unbelievable'."
USA Today
7 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
UFC's Cory Sandhagen: Ilia Topuria way too dangerous of a striker for Islam Makhachev
UFC's Cory Sandhagen: Ilia Topuria way too dangerous of a striker for Islam Makhachev Cory Sandhagen thinks Ilia Topuria would have been too much for Islam Makhachev if they fought. Topuria (16-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) vacated his UFC featherweight title for a move up to lightweight to challenge Makhachev (27-1 MMA, 16-1 UFC) but won't get his desired fight after Makhachev relinquished his belt to go to welterweight. With the power in Topuria's hands, which resulted in back-to-back knockouts of Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway, Sandhagen sees Makhachev likely having suffered the same fate. "I'm going to actually go against what most people say, and I honestly think Ilia would win that fight," Sandhagen said on the "Overdogs Podcast." "It's a hot take, but I do. I think his stature is going to be hard to take down for Islam, and I think if those two are standing, I just think that Ilia is a way, way dangerous guy standing, and I just really can't see Islam hurting him because his guard is real good. I think Ilia will win that one." Makhachev will now challenge newly crowned UFC welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena – a fight which doesn't peak Sandhagen's interest. "I have watched a bunch of JDM's fights, and I know that he's real good, but I don't really want to see JDM fight Islam honestly," Sandhagen said. "I don't really like when someone wins a belt and then they fight a guy from the lower weight class. I kind of want to watch JDM fight at 170 for a bit before too much of that stuff starts happening. I really want to watch Ilia and Islam fight, and I really want to watch Tom Aspinall and Jon Jones fight." As for Topuria, the former champion will still get his opportunity to claim a second belt when he meets Charles Oliveira (35-10 MMA, 23-10 UFC) for the vacant 155-pound title in the UFC 317 main event on June 28 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas (ESPN+ pay-per-view, ESPN, ESPN+).
Economic Times
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Economic Times
'Sit back and watch, uncle Chael': Makhachev responds as Sonnen accuses him of running from a real fight
Chael Sonnen has publicly criticized Islam Makhachev's decision to vacate his lightweight title and move up to the welterweight division. Sonnen accused Makhachev of avoiding a fight with featherweight champion Ilia Topuria, suggesting that the Dagestani fighter is sidestepping a highly anticipated bout. (Image: UFC) Former UFC fighter and current MMA analyst Chael Sonnen has once again stirred the pot, this time aiming UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev. The outspoken commentator who criticized Makhachev for choosing to leave the 155-pound division to fight at welterweight, accusing him of dodging a potential super-fight with featherweight king Ilia Topuria. 'He did everything he could to not fight Topuria… even abandoning the division and his championship belt. That says it all,' Sonnen said in a video on his YouTube channel, where he often gives blunt takes on MMA news. Sonnen, who never lets any punch go unanswered, made these comments after the UFC confirmed that Makhachev would not defend his lightweight belt. Instead, he's moving up to face rising star Jack Della Maddalena at welterweight later this year. With that move, the UFC has declared the lightweight belt vacant. The now-vacant title will be contested at UFC 317 in Las Vegas, where Ilia Topuria will face former lightweight champ Charles Oliveira. Many fans had hoped to see a champion vs champion clash between Topuria and Makhachev, but those plans are off the table, at least for now. Makhachev was quick to respond to Sonnen's criticism on social media. In a pointed tweet, he said: 'Chasing fame and money is not the same as chasing greatness in sport. But the average athlete, who talked his way to the top, won't understand that. So please, sit back and watch how it's done, Uncle Chael. Double champ.' The heated back-and-forth has added drama to an already shifting UFC landscape. Makhachev has long been seen as a dominant force in the lightweight division, and his move to welterweight could open doors to historic accomplishments, but also a protégé of Khabib Nurmagomedov, holds a 14-fight win streak in the UFC. His decision to move up in weight follows years of dominance, with notable wins over Dustin Poirier, Charles Oliveira, and Alexander critics like Sonnen argue that legacy isn't built by avoiding top contenders. Whether Makhachev proves them wrong in the welterweight division remains to be seen. For now, UFC fans are left with two burning questions: Can Makhachev become a double champ? Is Islam Makhachev avoiding a fight with Ilia Topuria in the lightweight division?
