Islam Makhachev seems able to return within the New 12 months.
That’s the phrase from Makhachev’s longtime teammate, buddy and coach Khabib Nurmagomedov, who revealed plans for the UFC light-weight champion to subsequent defend his title in January towards a nonetheless unnamed opponent.
“UFC supplied us a battle already, in January. We accepted it,” Nurmagomedov revealed throughout an look in Indonesia this previous weekend (video offered by Ushatayka).
Nurmagomedov didn’t point out any names, though it’s nearly definitely going to be a rematch towards No. 1 contender Arman Tsarukyan.
Tsarukyan cemented himself as the subsequent title challenger after he defeated former champion Charles Oliveira at UFC 300 to increase his profitable streak to 4 in a row. In his octagon debut again in 2019, Tsarukyan really confronted Makhachev and earned a Battle of the Night time bonus following a grueling three-round conflict that led to Tsarukyan taking a unanimous choice loss.
Now Tsarukyan seeks revenge whereas making an attempt to develop into UFC champion for the primary time in his profession.
So far as that potential problem or anyone else coming for Makhachev’s title, Nurmagomedov acknowledged that his 32-year-old prodigy is all the time going to carry the most effective out of any opponent due to what he represents.
“Islam is no longer solely champion however he’s pound-for-pound the most effective fighter on the planet at this time,” Nurmagomedov stated.
Makhachev hasn’t tasted defeat since his second battle within the UFC — a shocking upset loss to Adriano Martins — and he’s now rattled off a outstanding 14 wins in a row together with victories over three former UFC champions and 4 fighters at the moment ranked among the many prime 15 within the UFC’s light-weight division.
