As per Islam Makhachev, the UFC requested him if he was keen to make the primary protection of his welterweight title in January 2026, and Makhachev declined the supply.
Earlier this yr, after the fourth protection of his 155-pound championship at UFC 311, Makhachev vacated the throne and moved as much as welterweight in pursuit of two-division glory.
At UFC 322, the Dagestani phenom locked horns with then-champion Jack Della Maddalena and dethroned the Australian by dominating him on the mat and cruising to a unanimous determination victory. Notably, Makhachev had greater than 19 minutes of floor management time towards ‘JDM.’
After Islam Makhachev turned a two-division champion and likewise regained his P4P throne, a number of welterweight contenders confirmed curiosity in preventing him. The record contains Ian Machado Garry, Shavkat Rakhmonov, Carlos Prates, Michael Morales, and Kamaru Usman, amongst others.
Makhachev, then again, confirmed curiosity in preventing former champion Usman and believes ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ is his hardest problem.
Islam Makhachev needs to struggle after Ramadan 2026
In a current interview with Ushatayka, when Islam Makhachev was asked about his subsequent bout, he revealed that he had been provided a struggle in January, which he declined. Makhachev acknowledged that he goals to return after Ramadan 2026 and likewise confirmed curiosity within the UFC White Home Card.
“I don’t know but, however I used to be provided a struggle in January. I believe January is an unattainable date as a result of I had already been in camp for 3 months, they usually known as me in December. They have been like, ‘You’ll be preventing in January.’ I stated it was already too late. I wanted to depart for camp and be prepared for January. I advised them I undoubtedly gained’t struggle in January. I believe it is going to be after Ramadan for certain. April, Might, June. In the event that they wish to wait and put it on the White Home, then I’ll wait. If not, then I can struggle earlier.”
Makhachev was additionally requested to call the opponent he was speculated to face in January, and if it was Kamaru Usman, as per rumors. The 34-year-old added:
“They didn’t inform me the identify, however truthfully, I believe it was [Michael] Morales. That’s my opinion. They didn’t say the identify; they simply requested whether or not I might struggle in January or not. I don’t suppose [my opponent was Kamaru Usman].”
Take a look at Islam Makhachev’s feedback under:
