Based on Khabib Nurmagomedov, Islam Makhachev will make his UFC return in January.

The UFC light-weight champion hasn’t appeared within the cage since a conflict with Dustin Poirier in early June. Islam Makhachev entered the principle occasion as an enormous betting favourite however handled extra resistance than many anticipated. Nonetheless, the champion closed the present in spherical 5 with a submission victory over ‘The Diamond’.
Following the victory, Islam Makhachev was linked to a rematch with Arman Tsarukyan. The 2 beforehand confronted off in April 2019, the place the long run champion scored a unanimous determination victory. 5 years later, the 2 lightweights are set to run it again with UFC gold on the road.
The 2 have been initially anticipated to conflict in the principle occasion of UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi subsequent month. Nevertheless, attributable to damage, Islam Makhachev’s rematch with Arman Tsarukyan was pushed again. They have been linked to a December date, however plans for that additionally fell aside. Nevertheless, worry not, the champion will probably return to the cage in January.
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🚨 Khabib says that the UFC has provided Islam Makhachev a struggle in January and he has accepted it 👀
“UFC will announce very quickly the place it is going to happen and who will probably be Islam’s opponent. I can’t make an announcement myself, however I can say that we’re targeted on January.”
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) September 29, 2024
Khabib Nurmagomedov confirms Islam Makhachev is about for January UFC return
In an interview with Ushatayka on YouTube, ‘The Eagle’ revealed Islam Makhachev lately accepted a struggle for January. Whereas Khabib Nurmagomedov didn’t verify Arman Tsarukyan would be the champion’s opponent, that’s nonetheless the expectation. Regardless, the Russian expects Makhachev to dominate in his return.
“The UFC provided us a struggle already, in January and we accepted it.” Khabib Nurmagomedov said within the interview, when requested about Islam Makhachev’s UFC return. “UFC will announce it very quickly, the place it is going to happen and who will probably be Islam’s opponent. I can’t make an announcement myself, however I can say that we’re targeted on January.”
He continued, “This sport is rising in a short time, numerous children are rising. There’ll at all times be good opponents for Islam. Islam shouldn’t be solely a champion now, he’s the very best fighter pound-for-pound.”
What do you make of those feedback from Khabib Nurmagomedov? Are you excited for Islam Makhachev’s UFC return?