In response to a coach within the know, the month-long commentary of
Ramadan mustn’t essentially preclude a challenger from vying for
a
Final Preventing Championship belt.
With the principle occasions of the primary two UFC pay-per-view choices of
2025 already on the books—UFC 311 will characteristic Islam
Makhachev vs. Arman
Tsarukyan with a co-main of Merab
Dvalishvili in opposition to Umar
Nurmagomedov, whereas UFC 312 sees Dricus Du
Plessis defending his throne in opposition to Sean
Strickland whereas the co-headliner comes between Weili Zhang
and Tatiana
Suarez—hypothesis rapidly turned to its upcoming March card.
On March 8, the UFC’s common stomping floor of the T-Cellular Area
will play host to UFC 313, and no marquee bouts have been introduced
but.
Gentle heavyweight kingpin Alex
Pereira not too long ago said that he was planning to return in March
or April, and his anticipated opponent could be Magomed
Ankalaev. Some put the items collectively, questioning how the UFC
would take care of Ramadan—the holy month when Muslims quick from
dawn to sundown—this 12 months, which begins on Feb. 28 and ends on
March 29. When “Poatan” printed on his social media that
Ankalaev, a Muslim, may not be his subsequent opponent in any case,
rumors swirled and ended up pointing at fellow Muslim Khamzat
Chimaev. Sherdog sought out American Prime Staff chief coach
Marcos da
Matta, who holds an extended historical past of coaching Muslim fighters
during the last a number of years, for solutions.
“Lately I’ve educated dozens of Muslim fighters, and
due to this I’ve develop into very conversant in this concern of
Ramadan,” Da Matta established. “In reality, Muslims must quick for
4 weeks. The man who’s Orthodox doesn’t change the set date,
which this 12 months will likely be between February 28 and March 29, however when
the man isn’t so Orthodox he could make the dates extra versatile.
I’ve seen lots of my athletes do that, however there needs to be an actual
cause, whether or not it’s an sickness or knowledgeable concern. On this
case, [not following the exact days of Ramadan] isn’t ‘Haram’
[sin].”
The coach additional defined that begin and finish dates may very well be
shifted for the best cause, however there are limits.
“The Muslim fighter who’s going to battle with ‘Poatan,’ be it
Chimaev or Ankalaev on March 8, can postpone the beginning of the quick
by 10 days, for instance, beginning on the ninth and going till
April 9. I believe it could be way more difficult for them to
battle at UFC 314 [expected for April 12], for instance, as they
must quick in the course of the camp. I’d even guess that
there received’t be any Muslims on this Miami card, however on the March
card, sure.”
Da Matta made it clear he didn’t agree with the discuss that Chimaev
ought to have a spot within the UFC mild heavyweight title image, however
he is aware of that on this period of the UFC, something might occur.”
“Clearly it’s doable [for Chimaev to fight for the 205-pound
belt],” Da Matta stated. “A champion from Rizin’s high class was
introduced in to battle Pantoja straight for the belt. Regardless that he
hasn’t had any mild heavyweight fights, Chimaev is undefeated and
has 9 million followers on Instagram whereas Ankalaev has one
million. Now in the event you ask me if I believe it’s honest, clearly not, I
assume it’s whole disrespect to Ankalaev who has already overwhelmed
everybody and proven that he deserves that title shot. However all the things
is feasible. Let’s see within the subsequent few weeks.”
