Islam Makhachev’s return is imminent and all signs point to him defending his welterweight title this August against Ian Machado Garry.
The UFC champion made an appearance at this past weekend’s Champions League final in Budapest, Hungary, where Paris Saint-Germain captured its second straight European crown after defeating Arsenal in a penalty shootout. Makhachev covered a number of topics in a chat with UFC on TNT Sports, including when he expects to return and whether he expects to fight Garry or someone else.
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“Right after here I’m going to camp and I don’t know, August, I will be ready,” Makhachev said. “A lot of contenders, but No. 1 is Ian Garry and we have still a couple more who want to take the belt, but I don’t give to no one.”
Should Makhachev move on to fight and defeat Garry, his next challenger could be rival Ilia Topuria, who defeated Charles Oliveira to capture a lightweight title that Makhachev vacated, and is set to take on interim champion Justin Gaethje in a unification bout at UFC White House on June 14.
Topuria has frequently lobbied for a superfight with Makhachev, but Makhachev remains noncommital, even though he favors Topuria to successfully defend his title.
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“Topuria is a new generation, but Gaethje, I still believe Gaethje can do some things but he’s a little bit old right now,” Makhachev said. “He’s a good fighter, legend, he showed us very, very good many, many fights, but now I think it’s Topuria’s time for lightweight.”
Makhachev was also asked for his thoughts on the return of Conor McGregor, who fights Max Holloway at UFC 329 on July 11. The rematch marks McGregor’s first in-cage appearance since 2021.
Despite Makhachev’s contentious history with McGregor—Makhachev was infamously part of the UFC 229 post-fight melee when longtime friend Khabib Nurmagomedov incited a brawl with McGregor’s team—he sees it as a positive that McGregor is bringing his star power back to the UFC.
“It’s good, it’s good,” Makhachev said. “Big name for our sport, but he has a tough opponent. Max Holloway against Conor, I think Max can beat him.”
Matchmaker. Arman Tsarukyan implores Ilia Topuria to fight Islam Makhachev.
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GOATs. Topuria gives his MMA Mount Rushmore.
Debut. Darren Till smoked Aaron Chalmers in his first appearance for BKFC.
Wait. But it doesn’t sound like Mike Perry is next for Till just yet.
Statement. Song Yadong triumphed in his home country with a submission over Deiveson Figueiredo at UFC Macau.
Robbery? Holly Holm lost to Stephanie Han again, but did the judges score the rematch correctly?
Shame. Darko Stosic knocked out an overweight Greg Hardy.
RAF 9 post-event coverage.
UFC Macau post-fight show.
KO mystery game with Paddy Pimblett.
UFC White House trailer.
What a moment.
On to the Next One. Alexander K. Lee picks future fights for Song Yadong, Alonzo Menifield, Sergei Pavlovich, Kai Asakura, and the rest of UFC Macau’s big winners, with a huge helping hand from the always amazing OTTNO listeners.
My takeaway from the weekend:
Still the best MMA retirement ever.
America.
Wait, what was supposed to happen?
I mean… it could work?
Whoa.
OK.
Bryce Mitchell (18-3) vs. Santiago Luna (8-0); UFC Vegas 118, June 6
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Arman Tsarukyan vs. Colby Covington (wrestling); RAF 11, July 18
Spurs in five.
What a weirdly eventful weekend.
UFC Macau kicked off before the sun rose over on our side of the world, Darren Till made his BKFC debut, and RAF 9 delivered another headline-stealing card with Arman Tsarukyan, Merab Dvalishvili, Colby Covington, and Gable Steveson all picking up wins. There’s not shortage of options for even the most casual combat sports fan these days. Good times.
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